Otago Organics

23/02/2026

Otago Organics hosted a summer pruning workshop this past weekend. It was a great day. We were very lucky to have both Rory Harding and Jason Ross sharing their knowledge and their skills with us. They demonstrated an approach to pruning that was sympathetic to the natural character of the tree and tries to limit intervention, more fruit for less input!
A big thanks to the folk at Dunback Regenerative Gardens. It was a beautiful place to spend the afternoon.

30/01/2026

"Summer Pruning Workshop
22nd February 1 to 4
Dunback

Join Rory Harding and Jason Ross for a practical, hands-on pruning workshop hosted by Otago Organics. The workshop will be in a well-established mixed orchard in Dunback, East Otago.
Summer pruning (and training) is valuable for managing tree size and canopy density, leading to improved accessibility and fruit quality.

You will learn how to prune fruit trees with care, using modern techniques for each tree species.

Bring a hat, water and pruning gear if you have it.

Afternoon tea is provided.

Spaces are limited, so get in quick.

Tickets $40 or $20 for Otago Organics members.

https://events.humanitix.com/summer-pruning-workshop-k25ybfmz

09/12/2025

Otago Organics was fortunate to host Penny Platt last week speaking on the importance of record keeping in the market garden. For crop planning the following year Penny mentioned it is important to keep track of the first harvest and the total harvest. Penny stressed the need to assess our businesses with data rather than rose tinted glasses, and that making note of crop failure is just as important as noting success. We were introduced to the idea of the crop recovery rate, that which is actually harvested and sold compared to what is possible. And Penny finished the evening by talking about the difference between cash flow and profitability, and the need to make this distinction! Thanks Penny, a lot to digest.🌱❤️

20/11/2025

Are you wanting to learn more about selecting crops and collecting data through your growing season? Come along to this Otago Organics online event with Penny from Untamed Earth Organic Farm🌱

Penny is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to growing vegetables and understanding her numbers. Penny will talk to us about how she collects data in her operation and how she uses that data to make good decisions about what she should be growing. We will hear about how scale and marketing affect decision making on the farm.

Penny has experience with a wide variety of scales, having started very small she now helps run a 60-hectare organic vegetable operation. She has sold at farmers markets, run CSA boxes and sold wholesale. Penny also teaches at the Biological Husbandry Unit.

Attendees of this workshop will come away with tools and metrics to collect data easily through their growing season. There will be a follow-up workshop to this in early winter where we can analyse our data together.

🗓️ Thursday 4 December, 7.30pm—9.30pm
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ Sliding scale from $5
➡️ Book here https://events.humanitix.com/data-collection-crop-selection-with-penny

13/11/2025

We are hosting a zoom workshop on the 4th of December with Penny of Untamed Earth, please join us.
https://events.humanitix.com/data-collection-crop-selection-with-penny
Penny is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to growing vegetables and understanding her numbers. Penny will talk to us about how she collects data in her operation and how she uses that data to make good decisions about what she should be growing. We will hear about how scale and marketing affect decision making on the farm. Penny has experience with a wide variety of scales, having very small she now helps run a 60-hectare organic vegetable operation. She has sold at farmers markets, run CSA boxes and sold wholesale. Penny also
teaches at the Biological Husbandry Unit. Attendees of this workshop will come away with tools and metrics to collect data easily through their growing season. There will be a follow-up workshop to this in early winter where we can analyse our data together.
All welcome.

09/11/2025

Kia ora koutou,
We have been very quiet on fb but busy, at times, in the real world. In winter we hosted The Local Growers Hui, with support from Goodfood Dunedin and Village Agrarians. The hui focused on some of the challenges market gardeners face making an income. It was really well attended with people coming from as far as the far north and the deep south! The hui was 3 days packed with workshops and conversation, with most of the 50 attendees staying onsite. We all left with a sense of solidarity, a dose of reality and plenty of inspiration to keep growing for our communities.
Otago Organics gained some new members and some new energy from the hui. There will be some great events coming up in the next few months. Watch this space.

12/11/2024

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visit

Hi all good news -we have managed to bring the price of this guided walk down to $35 for Members. $50 for non members.
We are inviting you to join a guided walk around Orokonui Ecosanctuary on November 24th Nov.
Time ;meet at 10.20 ready to start the guided walk which will last 2 hours ,from 10.30am -12.30 pm.
This 307 hectare biodiversity sanctuary is home to may threatened species ,birds ,reptiles,frogs,and close to 200 species of plants .Find out more here -https://orokanui.nz
Lunch will be available to purchase from the excellent cafe in the visitors center.
The carpark and entrance (through the centre )can be found at 600 Blueskin Bay about 20ks North of Central Dunedin.
If you need a lift let us know and we will try to help.
There is a limit on the spaces available so booking is essential. to reserve simply message this page with numbers and we will confirm and provide details for payment.

Send a message to learn more

07/04/2024

Otago Organics Field Trip
We have been lucky to have been invited to a double bill of small scale Organic market gardens close to Dunedin.
Day Sunday 14th April
Time 1 pm
Places are still available and are open to all interested people.You don't have to be a member (although it would be great if you want to join us .As places are limited registration is necessary.to book a place email [email protected].
There is no set fee but a koha to support work in promoting our work in promoting small scale organic production in the Otago/Southland region is always welcome.
We start at Vern Paddock Project on Purakanui Road,Mihiwaka ,where Jed Tweedie and Skye Macfarlane run a bio grow Certified property.We will then move a short distance to WAE WAE permaculture ,where Lian and Fiona grow a diverse range of vegetables using permaculture principals.
We aim to assemble at the Vern Paddock Project ready to startaat 1pm ad expect to depart from Waewae permaculture by 5pm.
When you have booked your place further details about the precise loaction etc will be emailed to you.
See you there

Send a message to learn more

17/09/2023

Come and join us for a seed raising workshop
You will go home with some seeds .Children welcome