What is your carbon footprint?

What is your carbon footprint?

The Organic and Regenerative Investment Co-operative (ORICoop) is focussed on bringing together farmers, friends and businesses for the better. ORICoop exists to increase the productivity and profitability of organically and regeneratively managed land in Australia, while supporting farmers to be better land stewards of our ecological farming systems. We support organic and biodynamic farms to transition their agricultural businesses for the better. This builds a more resilient Australian food and farming economy that can change the way our farmers do business … for the long term.

WHAT IS THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF YOUR BUSINESS?

We are excited to announce the creation of a direct Business-to-Farm carbon and ecological offset.

The Eco-Credit™

Bringing together farmers interested to drawdown carbon – and in the process offset the carbon footprint of business.  Eco-Credits™ are a credible and definable instrument to measure ecological health, whilst enabling business to OFFSET their carbon footprint.  A true WIN-WIN between conscious businesses and ecological farm stewards, that supports our planet for the long term better.

ORICoop has created Eco-Credits™ so conscious businesses and individuals can offset their carbon footprint, with direct, measurable and tangible outcomes. Eco-Credits™ are deployed to selected organic farmers who commit Eco-Credits™ to their farmland.  These credits are independently and annually verified using the latest technology and measurement parameters.  Each business receives a report provided by the collective of farm contributors each year – detailing what the Eco-Credit™ collective outcome has achieved in terms of carbon offset and ecological health.

 Purchase Eco-Credit’s here

Eco-Credits™ – ‘An ecological and farmer driven market instrument that offers a pathway to a stronger and more robust organic farming industry.  That is empowered to withstand market pressures on farm production systems, together with sustainable and measured outcomes.  Demonstrated via shorter supply chains, better food security, reliable market data, and a transparent market that enables farmers to achieve the best value for their work.’

The Vision:-

  • Vitalise capital to connect business, food and farming for better long term outcomes
  • Enable farmers to benefit from the value of natural capital in their farming systems
  • Connect business and individual carbon offsets directly to farmers
  • Align with accredited stewardship measures and outcomes

 

HOW CAN FARMERS REGISTER FOR the ECO-CREDIT™ PROGRAM?

Farmers around Australia have a massive opportunity to draw down carbon into their farms both above and below ground through best practice ecological stewardship. Farmers can be rewarded for improving the land that they manage, and the carbon that is sequestered terrestrially via biodiversity enrichment and through an increase in soil organic carbon.  Eco-Credits™ are deployed directly to organic and regenerative farmers – that are committed to increase the amount of carbon stored in their soil and to honour the value of water, soil, ecological health and biodiversity in their organic and agroecological farming systems.

Key measurable outcomes of Eco-Credits™ include:

  • Increase in sequestered carbon in soil, trees and biomass
  • Increase in biodiversity quality, area and ecosystem health
  • Healthier soils and water
  • Increase in birdlife and endangered wildlife
  • Permanency and verifiable
  • Market Transformational
  • Environmental and social co-benefits

Organic farms can REGISTER HERE for the next Eco-Credit project

What does COVID-19 mean for farming and our food system?

What does COVID-19 mean for farming and our food system?

As we launch into such uncertain times – it is critical we connect local farmers, food, events (virtually) and encourage all of use to look out for each other and see the world through old wise eyes.

Our grandparents lived through war times, of basic rations, of raw food, of eating what was available. We all need to return to our roots, and remember what our elders taught us.   We need to be the shining lights to our farmers, communities, and localised food systems.  Now more than ever. And to deeply care about each other, our communities and the planet.

We hope these resources will help you to share this in your community – and let us know your own local champions so we can grow this list nationwide!

As many events and conferences are either cancelled or transitioned to a virtual format, ORICoop recognizes that farmers, food servers, and all those who labor to grow, harvest, prepare, and serve our food are among those most impacted by economic and health effects of COVID-19 and many with limited access to quality medical care in regional areas. Adopting attitudes of empathy and care is needed more than ever to protect our most vulnerable.

At a time when we are seeing impacts on global supply chains, we see the urgent need for our local economy and community resilience. It is a critical time to buy nutrient-rich food from local farms in your area and to take advantage of home delivery where possible. By supporting policies and models for locally owned land and shared ecological stewardship, we can all ensure there is a future where local organic agriculture supports our health, carbon is sequestered in our soils, and sustainable stewardship of the earth provides a pathway for our generation and future generations to connect with the land and to each other.

PLACES TO BUY FOOD LOCALLY IN YOUR REGION?

Looking for your local food or farm initiatives?

PRACTICAL STEPS YOU CAN DO IMMEDIATELY….

  • Start making your own bread
  • Plant food, small or large garden!
  • Buy a local, seasonal box of vegetables regularly
  • Make the most of everything, waste little
  • Preserve, pickle and freeze
  • Share with those in need
  • Start your own foodies collective

See more suggestions HERE from Milkwood Permaculture

How can ORICoop help?

ORICoop brings together farmers, eaters, businesses and partners to directly support farmers in their time of need.  Together we are focussed on increasing the amount, diversity and productivity of organically and regeneratively managed farmland around Australia, while building a resilient food and farming system that can change the way our farmers do business…. for the better!

There has never been a better time to care more about your community!  Join ORICoop today, and connect more closely with your food system, one meal at a time.

Organic Farmer’s Bushfire Appeal update

Organic Farmer’s Bushfire Appeal update

Great news!

Certified organic fodder due to arrive Christmas Eve!

When we launched the Organic Farmers Bushfire Appeal two weeks ago, our aim was to raise $14,000 to purchase and transport a B-double load (approx. 50 tonnes) of certified organic fodder to farms in need in NSW.

Since then, thanks to the momentum our supporters have created through the support of this appeal, we’ve had an amazing 120 tonnes of certified organic fodder donated by generous organic producers in Victoria – worth over $60,000!   And thanks to the fodder being donated, we’ve also secured $40,000 worth of transport subsidies through the NSW Govt Rural Assistance Authority.  This means for every $1 dollar donated – it has created $15 directly to these farmers!

The first of six truck loads of fodder will be delivered to organic & biodynamic farms just in time for Christmas, next Tuesday!

This will help keep stock alive and businesses afloat over the next few months at the following farms:

– Marrook Farm

– Benmar Farm

– Oxhill Organics

– Tony, an organic farmer from Comboyne

You’re helping to save these farms – thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Your donation will go so much further than we could have anticipated when we launched this appeal. As summer rolls on, this means that we’ll be able to provide further support to more farmers affected by drought and bushfires, as needs arise.

You can share details of our Appeal with your local organic retailer or grocer with this flyer, please encourage them to support us!

Thank you!

Carolyn & the ORICoop team

Making the Sustainable Development Goals work for local communities everywhere

Making the Sustainable Development Goals work for local communities everywhere

Organic Farmland Investment


ORICoop is working to preserve and enhance organic and regenerative businesses across Australia. We work together with like minded investors, business owners and landholders to activate aligned investment into the organic food and farming sector. This includes farm and business operators wishing to expand, diversify, retire or semi-retire, cease active farming or manage other transition outcomes in their family business, with aligned investors looking for investment that combines ecological land stewardship, healthy food, efficient supply chains and fair returns.

The Australian Organic industry is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and demand, driven by a discerning consumer in both Australia and overseas, as consumer values place a higher value on healthy, safe and nutritious food produced in a way that preserves our environment and softens the ecological footprint for future generations.

This is an ORICoop initiative designed to enhance and build resilience in the organic & biodynamic industry. ORICoop does not receive a fee for making introductions with our members and we do not recommend or warrant investments. Investors, existing businesses and landholders must make their own evaluation and investigation of the suitability of the arrangements, with full consideration of their own personal and financial circumstances.

Redesigning economics based on ecology

Redesigning economics based on ecology

Much of our day-to-day behaviour and cultural activity is structurally determined by our monetary and economic systems. Their redesign is a crucial enabler of the transition towards a regenerative culture. To transform our economic system(s) at every scale is an audacious salutogenic [health generating] design intervention, yet it is the only way we can effect changes deeply enough to avoid the collapse of civilization and further damage to ecosystems and the biosphere.  Keep reading HERE

by

https://medium.com/@designforsustainability/redesigning-economics-based-on-ecology-35a82f751f25