Aussie olive producer receives "Regenerative" certification

A Greener World (AGW), a non-profit certifier, has announced Manna Hill Estate as the first producer in Australia to be Certified Regenerative by AGW. This certification provides an assurance of whole-farm regeneration and sustainability, measuring benefits for soil, water, air, biodiversity, infrastructure, animal welfare and social responsibility.

Manna Hill Estate is a family-run, dry range olive grove in Mount Egerton, near Ballarat. It produces extra virgin olive oil, table olives, soaps and skin care balms.

The farm management practices at Manna Hill Estate are focused on improving soil health through biological methods, such as compost, biochair, creating biofertilisers, extensive mulching and cover cropping. These practices help increase the water-holding capacity of the soil and minimise evaporation.

The farm was a participant in AGW’s inaugural Certified Regenerative pilot cohort, made up of a group of 50 farms across the globe that spent the last two years evaluating farm standards, plans and auditing procedures in partnership with AGW.

To be Certified Regenerative, farms must meet initial rigorous sustainability awards and be continuously improving. The certification is a farm-specific regenerative plan where producers assess risks, set goals and track progress towards their own meaningful milestones with support from qualified experts in agronomy, biodiversity, water quality and other fields. Plans are reviewed, approved and audited by AGW.

Campbell Mercer, owner of Manna Hill Estate, said he chose to certify with AGW because of its global footprint and robust certification.

A Greener World UK and Europe Executive Director Wayne Copp said, “We know the collection of farming practices described as ‘regenerative’ has huge potential to put the brakes on — and even reverse — many of the negative impacts associated with intensive agriculture. We are proud to work with Manna Hill Estate, the world’s first Certified Regenerative by AGW olive producer, and we are delighted that Campbell has chosen us as the logo his customers can trust to deliver genuinely positive outcomes: on the farm, at the table and for the planet.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Gatsi