Bega: SCPA - Sapphire Coast Producers

Christine Jones, PhD
Founder, Amazing Carbon
www.amazingcarbon.com

The number of farmers in Australia has fallen 30 per cent in the last 20 years, with more than 10,000 farming families leaving the agricultural sector in the last five years alone. This decline is ongoing.

There is also a reluctance on the part of young people to return to the land, indicative of the poor image and low income-earning potential of current farming practices.

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The demand for locally grown organic food cannot match the current supply. SCPA, the Sapphire Coast Producers Association are hosting a free field day on Saturday 29th May at Brogo Permaculture Gardens for anyone interested in growing organic produce for the local market.

SCPA President John Champagne says SCPA have been operating an Organic Certification peer review system for many years but it’s time to increase the volume of production and the number of growers.

“This type of system, where growers inspect and assess each other’s farms or properties to ensure strict adherence to prescribed standards, is known as Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). This means that annual fees are kept low with minimal administration costs and utilising the time and skills of member growers.’

“SCPA is aiming to be the first PGS in Australia to be accredited by IFOAM, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements."

"As well as providing organic certification, our system encourages growers to the local market thereby adding the environmental benefit of cutting back the food miles from production to where it’s consumed. We can also provide an entry level where those not wanting organic certification can come into a PGS specifically designed for growers selling locally and striving toward minimising chemical usage.”

“Volume of production does not have to be large as SCPA offers the opportunity for members to sell small quantities on their stall at the SCPA Markets in Bega fortnightly. Anyone interested in selling excess food or intending to do so is welcome.”

The field day begins at 9.00am with John Champagne leading a tour of his Permaculture property followed by an information session about the PGS.

The property is at 397 Hawkshead Rd in Brogo and parking is along the left hand side where the tour will begin.

For further details, contact John Champagne on 64 927306 or Gary Hooley on 64 942090.

Preparing for September

Amaranth
(also Love-lies-bleeding)

Sow in garden. Sow after frost.

Harvest from September

EASY

Asparagus

Sow in garden, or plant as crowns.

Harvest from 24 months

Basil

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

Harvest from October

EASY

Beetroot

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from September - October

EASY

Broad beans
(also Fava bean)

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from October - January

EASY

Burdock
(also Gobo (Japanese Burdock))

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from November - December

EASY

Cabbage

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

Harvesting from September - November

EASY

Cape Gooseberry
(also Golden Berry, Chinese Lanterns)

Sow in garden.

Harvest from November

EASY

Carrot

Sow in garden. broadcast sow.

Harvesting from October - December

Chilli
(also Hot peppers)

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. After risk of frosts.

Harvest from October

EASY

Chives

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from September - October

Eggplant
(also Aubergine)

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Bring on in pots - need a long growing season.

Harvesting from October - November

EASY

Endive

Sow in garden.

Harvest from October

EASY

Globe artichokes

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from May - September

EASY

Kohlrabi

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from September - October

EASY

Leeks

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

Harvesting from November - December

EASY

Lettuce

Sow in garden, or start in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks..

Harvesting from September - October

Luffa
(also Loofah, plant sponge)

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

Harvest from October

EASY

Mint
(also Garden mint)

Grow in trays and plant out or start from cuttings.

Harvesting from September - October

EASY

Mustard greens
(also gai choy)

Sow in garden.

Harvest from September

EASY

Onion

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

Harvesting from January - March

Parsnip

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from November - December

EASY

Peas

Sow in garden.

Harvest from October

Potato

Plant tuber.

Harvesting from November - December

EASY

Radish

Sow in garden.

Harvest from September

EASY

Rocket
(also Arugula/Rucola)

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from August - September

EASY

Shallots
(also Eschalots)

Plant small bulblets, with stem just showing above ground.

Harvesting from October - November

EASY

Silverbeet
(also Swiss Chard or Mangold)

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from September - October

EASY

Snow Peas
(also Sugar Peas, Mangetout, Chinese Peas)

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from October - November

EASY

Spinach
(also English spinach)

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from September - October

EASY

Spring onions
(also Scallions, Bunching onions)

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from September - October

EASY

Swedes
(also Rutabagas)

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from October - November

Thyme
(also Common thyme)

Grow in seed trays and plant out 6-8 weeks.

Harvesting from May - August

EASY

Turnip

Sow in garden.

Harvesting from September - October

Watermelon

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

Harvesting from October - November

Contact

SCPA Brochure

Proud Supporter Of...

Soil carbon - can it save agricultures bacon?

Wanted....Organic Growers

Planting now in August for the Australia - cool/mountain zone

Preparing for September

SCPA Membership and Renewal

The Kitchen Gardener Notes

SCPA and Communities News Digests

Join the SCPA Mailing List

The Little Producer

Community Gardens

Heritage Fruit Register

Starter Kits