Executive Summary
What the report is about and who is the report targeted at?
This publication provides information on the content and attendance of each workshop and participants reactions to the events. Through evaluation of workshop participants, information on producers’ progress towards organic conversion is also assessed.

Aims/Objectives
This project aimed to deliver four producer workshops at regional centres in Victoria to increase adoption of organic farming methods and organic conversion.

Background
Previous organic research and development projects have used the workshop format to deliver information to producers. This format has proved popular with producers and it is widely recognised that for many individuals, learning is often enhanced through delivery of information in a group environment, and through producers observing and participating in on-farm situations. However, previous projects have also shown that conversion to organic production is a long and complex process for the majority of producers, and that learning about organic production systems is an ongoing process. This project aimed to deliver four workshops in regional Victoria to provide information to assist producers in their farming enterprise and to increase organic certification. The project also aimed to publish the workshop information both in print and via web-sites, and to evaluate participants to assess practice change on farm.

Methods used
Workshops were conducted in four regional centres in Victoria during 2002-2004. The first workshop was conducted at Rutherglen in October 2002, the second at Mildura in April 2003, the third at Warragul in November 2003 and the fourth at Hamilton in August 2004. Each workshop comprised four core features including: an Australian Organic Industry Overview; key results from DPI organic research (production, conversion, economic analysis and market outlook); field visit to a certified organic farm or a presentation from a practising organic producer; and a training component for participants.

Results/Key findings
A total of 158 producers attended the four workshops. The majority (115) were conventional producers interested in learning about organic farming and 43 producers were either certified organic or bio-dynamic, in conversion or in pre-certification. Reactions to the workshop content and format were generally positive with participants more enthusiastic about the interactive training sessions and visits to certified organic properties and presentations from producers.

Significant barriers exist that prevent many producers from seeking organic certification. The workshop evaluations showed that weed, pest and disease management was still the most significant barrier, with costs/finance, lack of information, family structure and marketing all rating in most regions.

Participants indicated through evaluation that practice change would occur on farm as a result of the information provided at the workshop. Follow-up evaluation 6-10 months after the workshop attendance demonstrated that some practice change had occurred, for example, establishment of permanent cover crops between established tree rows, use of cover crops as mulch for weed management, use of non-chemical methods of weed control, soil testing, lime application and the use of live animal assessment techniques. As a result of the Warragul workshop and subsequent marketing forums, an organic red-meat producer group has established and is seeking business planning advice to form a co-operative. Three producers indicated that they had commenced organic certification since attending the workshops.

The workshop format of information delivery demonstrated that it was effective in encouraging incremental adoption of organic production methods for a positive benefit on farm. Significant increases in organic certification to meet expected increases in domestic and export demand may require a more targeted approach such as that undertaken by the organic red-meat group.

Recommendations
It is recommended that:
 

• Future extension activities focus on group learning through interactive field-based sessions;
• Visits to certified organic properties and businesses are included in extension workshops;
• Inclusion of all the links in the supply chain are presented to producers to demonstrate the pathway to market;
• Existing producer networks and service providers are better utilised to provide information about organic farming systems; and,
• Establishment of producer co-operatives may provide a faster route to increased organic certification

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