An open letter from the president of the Jersey Organic Association, Jeremy Harris:
Dear All,
The Jersey Organic Association would like to invite you to a meeting next month to consider its future role. The Association has been fairly quiet over the last couple of years, but we are hoping that both new and existing supporters will feel able to come forward and give new impetus to our activities. The JOA was established back in 1987 with the following aims –
· To promote awareness and knowledge of organic farming and gardening, and the interrelation between soil, plants, animals, man and the environment;
· To promote an understanding of the benefits of organic food on health; and
· To raise awareness of the links between organic farming and wider environmental issues, and promote campaigns leading to a more sustainable future.
The JOA is the local branch of the Soil Association and Garden Organic, and since 1987 we have been active on a number of fronts –
· National campaigns: Taking part in national campaigns, both in support of organic farming & gardening, and against environmentally damaging farming practices (e.g. opposing the use of toxic pesticides);
· Local campaigns: Campaigning locally to support the growth of organic farming & gardening in Jersey (e.g. lobbying government, organising farmers’ markets, working with schools, and providing advice on organic gardening);
· Talks and events: Organising a programme of talks & events to promote organic farming & gardening. Over the years we have invited many inspiring speakers to Jersey, including Alan Gear, Iain Tolhurst, Patrick Holden, Lawrence Woodward and Helen Browning; and
· Social activities: We have also organised a wide range of social activities, giving our supporters the opportunity to meet up, visit organic farms & gardens, and enjoy some delicious organic food!
Our meeting will be taking place at 8.00 p.m. on Monday 12th September 2022 in Room 4, Jersey Arts Centre, Phillips Street, St. Helier, and we hope you will be able to attend. After a short AGM we will be devoting the main part of the meeting to discussing the future role of the Jersey Organic Association. We would welcome any ideas and suggestions that you might have.
We are also looking for new committee members, and please let me know if you might be interested – I may be contacted on the following email address: supportjoa@outlook.com The current committee members have all been in post for many years, and we feel that we need to have a new committee if the Association is to continue, i.e. a chairperson, secretary, treasurer. In the meantime, we have an urgent need for somebody who knows about Facebook to take on the administration of the JOA Facebook page, at least up until the meeting on 12th September, and so please get in touch if you should feel able to help in this way.
This invitation is being sent out to all JOA members and supporters, along with other interested parties including registered organic growers and distributors.
Kind regards,
Jeremy Harris
Secretary,
Jersey Organic Association
Email: supportjoa@outlook.com
