OACC is Five and Counting

By Ralph C. Martin, Ph.D., P.Ag.

Five years ago, in Baddeck, NS, the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Lyle Vanclief, announced a $1 million grant for the founding of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC). OACC has been based at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and links organic knowledge, across Canada, between farmers, students, consumers, university and AAFC agricultural researchers and extension specialists. An Advisory Board with members from all Canadian regions has guided OACC.

Today, the OACC website receives 5 million hits per year and many are from dial-up computers, an indication that rural Canadians, associated with many agricultural practices, are finding the site useful. Organic research results from Canada and abroad that are considered helpful to Canadians are posted under the Research button. Others are under the Extension button for those who prefer to read less specialized language and numerous reports are available in French.
There are many organic organizations in Canada and OACC complements them with its unique focus on research and education at the university level, pertaining to organic agriculture. Organic research provides an opportunity for scientists to investigate un-masked systems (no synthetic pesticides and fertilizers) under biological and climatic variability and to develop methods that will benefit conventional farmers as well as organic farmers. For example, the rates and timing of harrowing weeds in cereal crops, without herbicides, provides useful information for conventional farmers who want to reduce pesticide levels and costs.

In efforts to link key people addressing questions in organic agriculture, OACC has been instrumental in initiating discussions between those in production with others at the processing, distribution and marketing levels. An OACC goal is foster research within the context of supplying products characterized by well-balanced nutritional content linked to healthy soil. Organic researchers are less inclined to apply or insert compounds to “enhance” products and more inclined to understand holistic systems thus providing value-added food and fibre that does not require further enhancement and does not contribute to a cumulative pesticide load in humans. Within this context, OACC is coordinating research to help farmers provide organic products to meet consumer requests while gaining market share and premium prices.

OACC research projects have been conducted, with collaboration, in all provinces. OACC has sponsored specific organic research symposia on potatoes and apples and several others which were more general.

Since 2001, thirteen OACC web courses have been developed in English (9) and French (4). Those interested in improving their knowledge of organic production, markets and impacts tend to be thinly spread across our large land mass of Canada and the internet provides an opportunity to link students, regardless of location. The courses are offered for credit in agricultural schools at universities from BC to Nova Scotia and are also available on a non-credit basis for farmers and others, if they prefer that option. University students gain insights from the practical questions farmers toss to the instructor. Farmers on average use the internet more than other Canadians even though they are often limited by slow speeds of dial-up. Many farmers prefer to study conveniently in their homes rather than driving distances and possibly paying for accommodation for two weeks or more. There is no doubt that face to face courses, seminars, mentoring and workshops are also beneficial. With internet courses, OACC is meeting a niche educational opportunity.

The OACC vision, “to strengthen the science and practice of organic agriculture in Canada”, has been the guiding light for all activities of our unique educational and research organization. Today Canadians are spending over $1.3 billion annually on organic food and yet only 15% is Canadian. Why can’t our farmers and processors provide this food for us? Many Canadian agriculturalists agree that we can provide our own organic food. OACC will continue to conduct, coordinate and disseminate producer-oriented research and education to achieve this goal, thus contributing to sustainable communities.

The work of OACC is intended to enhance respect for soil, plants, animals, air and water, thereby contributing to respect for people and the planet. In partnership with many individual and organizations, OACC expects many more birthdays to celebrate research and educational support to the organic sector in Canada.

Ralph C. Martin, Ph.D., P.Ag is the Founding Director of OACC. He welcomes your comments at oacc@nsac.ca or at 902-893-7256.

Posted on the OACC website, August 2006