Organics course changes lives

Taking part in an Agriculture New Zealand Go Organic course has proved life-changing for at least two of its students.

Geoff Leong of Te Puke and Jo van Kooten of Cambridge are each pursuing new career paths after being inspired by taking the courses.


Geoff Leong and other Go Organic students learn to recognise weeds and herbs in a plant identification class.

Go Organic programme coordinator and tutor Micky Cunningham says people from all walks of life and experiences attend the part-time courses, held in several locations throughout New Zealand.

Courses in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region are scheduled to start in August in Hamilton, Pukekohe, Waihi, Raglan and Rotorua.

Go Organic courses take a practical, science-based approach to separate myth from fact, while exploring a wide range of organic techniques and methods.

Students are introduced to a variety of design and management systems providing useful guidelines and tools for ongoing planning, management and diagnosis – whether applied to an existing property or a new production venture.


Go Organic students observe how Janette Perrett prepares liquid fertilisers for her pastures.

The course is great value for keen gardeners, plant growers, landscapers, lifestyle block owners, permaculture planners, habitat-restoration workers, orchardists wishing to convert to organic systems, as well as those seeking a healthier alternative to conventional food production.

Each course typically runs during 10 months with students attending weekly tutorials, workshops or fieldtrips either during school hours or evenings and weekends.


Steve Erikson, of Chaos Springs Waihi, explains to a Go Organics class how compost teas are made.


Geoff Leong (far right) learns about preparing soil for garlic, on a field trip to Gordon and Sue Boyd in Waihi.


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