Organic Growers of Australia Small Producers Program (OGA)
OGA is a program for small producers, with a gross annual income of less than $75,000, to become certified organic. The process is simpler and less expensive than other organic programs, making it accessible and user-friendly for the smaller producer.
The process takes three years for full certified organic status to be achieved; with the first year classed as Pre-Certification and the next two years as In Conversion (IC). Producers are audited annually and contingent on successful audits their products can be labelled Fully Certified (A) Grade Organic after three years.
As a client of OGA you will be able to market your produce at farmers’ markets, local shops, from your farm gate or via box scheme home deliveries. OGA is for the domestic market only, however if you plan to export your product as Certified Organic in the future you can easily transfer into the ACO program which uses the same criteria.
BFA runs regular workshops to inform and assist producers to understand the process of becoming certified organic and to choose the best program for their market needs, whether that is the Small Producer Program with OGA or ACO for the larger or export-oriented producer.
To keep informed regarding workshops within your area or to find out if you qualify for the Small Producers Program phone (07) 3350 5716 or email oga@bfa.com.au.
History of the OGA program
OGA started as the Northern Rivers Herb Growers Association in 1989 in the Northern Rivers region of NSW when a small group of enthusiastic farmers came together to discuss herb growing at a time when it was practically non-existent in Australia.
With a growing interest in organic production the group underwent a name change to Organic Herb Growers of Australia, and then again to Organic Growers of Australia as it quickly developed into a body which audited not only herb growers however farmers and processors Australia-wide, producing everything from fruit and vegetables, to herbs, tree and field crops, bush foods, livestock and processed goods.
On 29th October 2006 at the Organic Growers of Australia Incorporated (OGA Inc) Annual General Meeting, OGA members voted almost unanimously to merge the OGA certification program into the BFA group.
Since the 1st July 2007 BFA has offered OGA certification as a dedicated program servicing smaller Producers who do not export or sell to exporters.
Always having focused on servicing the small producer, through the new, streamlined BFA/OGA Program, OGA was able to provide clients the benefit of reduced certification fees and a simplified certification process while offering maintained licensed use of the OGA logo and integrity of organic production.
Chairman of OGA
The current Chairman of OGA is Doug Haas. Doug is also Chairman of the overall BFA Group, a role he has maintained since 1997. In July of 2009 Mr Haas was handed down the role of OGA Chair by Howard Rubin, founder and Chairman of OGA for 20 years since its establishment.