The Auckland Regional Council has been involved in a nationwide soil health monitoring programme for some years. Now the ARC has included soils from some sites that are farmed organically, as part of that suite of sites.

This will compare them with neighbouring soils that are traditionally farmed, and will help monitor future changes.

Four soil types and three farm types (dairy, orchard and market garden) have been sampled.

Councillor Jack Henderson, who requested sampling from farms using organic methods in late 2000, said the testing program is very exciting and a credit to the Council.

“Organic agriculture is a great example of New Zealand adding value to what it traditionally does well. The export potential is tremendous and the food tastes better too.”

“Yet there has been very little information about the composition of soils farmed under an organic regime in the Auckland region.”

“Auckland Regional Council officers have taken up this initiative with enthusiasm and believe it to be a New Zealand first.“

Release ends.

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