What we are about.

The Organic Association Western Australia (OGAWA) is a not for profit organisation which was founded in October 1976 (formerly known as the Organic Growers Association of Western Australia) .

Our objectives are:

To create opportunity for people interested in organic and biodynamic gardening, agriculture and the development of all levels within the Western Australian organic industry, to meet together and/or exchange knowledge and information;
To liaise with other organisations with similar objectives;
To promote and assist research into organic and biodynamic methods of gardening and agriculture thus supporting the protection of the natural environment;
To engage or participate in the collection, dissemination and publication of information relating to organic and biodynamic methods of gardening and agriculture and the processing, distribution, wholesaling, marketing and retailing of organic produce and value added products;
To engage in educational programmes that increase public awareness of the importance of organic and biodynamic methods of gardening and agriculture in assisting with the ongoing support of the natural environment;
To foster and create opportunities for sustainable participation and employment relating to the production, processing, distribution, wholesaling, marketing and retailing of organic and biodynamic produce and value added products;
To conduct business and employ persons of skill, training and experience relating to organic gardening, agriculture and the processing, distribution, wholesaling, marketing and retailing of organic produce and value added products;
To establish and operate centres from which these activities can be carried out.

To promote the value of Organic growing within the community.
To provide a source of information, workshops and discussion forums for home gardeners, commercial growers and consumers.
To illustrate and outline practical alternatives to farming practices that rely on synthetic chemical applications to achieve food production outputs.
To promote Organic farming techniques while increasing the natural resistance to pests and diseases.
To encourage co-operation and information transfer between like-minded organisations following sustainable practices.
To lobby governments on Organic issues.
To raise consumer awareness of the issues facing the Organic farming community.
To promote food free from harmful pesticides, herbicides and Genetically Modified Organisms.

Our activities are run by volunteers and are funded by membership subscription, and the sale of literature on organic growing. If you are interested in Organic Growing, whether as a consumer, a home gardener, or a commercial grower, producer, retailer or consultant, please join OGAWA to support us in achieving these aims.

Jude Blereau Patron for OGAWA

New Patron for Organic Association of Western Australia

Jude Blereau is a natural foods chef, author, food coach, cooking teacher and real food activist who has been involved with the organic and wholefoods industry for more than 18 years.
In 1997, Jude co-founded The Earth Market, a much loved wholefood store and café in Perth, Western Australia. In 2001 founded the Whole Food Cooking.
Her focus is on helping people learn about good food - what it truly is, where to get it, how to use it - and to give them the tools and information they need to make healthy eating a part of their everyday lives.
Jude is a passionate advocate for sustainable farming practices and good food for everybody. She is participates in a number of groups and networks that promote those goals. Jude is a member of Chefs Collaborative, a network of chefs and restaurateurs who work together to promote sustainable farming and fishing, humane animal husbandry and local artisanal cuisine. They encourage the community to make food choices that emphasize delicious, locally grown, seasonally fresh, and whole or minimally processed ingredients that are good for us, for local farming communities, and for the planet.
Jude is also active in the Organic Federation of Australia, and sits on the OFA (Organic Federation of Australia) Board, and OFA Consumer Council.
Jude released her first cookbook Wholefood ... heal, nourish, delight in March 2006, and her second Coming Home To Eat ... Wholefood for the Family in March 2008. Wholefood for Children – Nourishing Young Children with Whole and Organic Foods, will be released 1st March 2010. She writes for a number of magazines including Spice and Nova.

www.wholefoodcooking.com.au
jude@wholefoodcooking.com.au