DRAFT of PGS Mission/Values/Objectives in Dominica

Submitted DRAFT of the Mission/Values/Objectives for PGS in Dominica:

Please review and post correction/improvement/ comments.

• Mission:

Provide a transparent, credible, verifiable, affordable, farmer-friendly,  local organic certification system for Dominica that unites, supports and encourages new and existing organic farmers and that will be consistent with organic export requirements.

• Values:

Dominican food security based on nutritious, uncontaminated locally grown foods

Long term sustainable health of Dominican environment and people

Fair pay for farm produce

Support Dominican goal of becoming “organic island”

Support farmer members to achieve sufficient returns on labor and a healthy life style

Attract youth into farming

Social justice: fair pay and work conditions for farm workers;

Availability of quality foods for all income levels

Local agricultural and environmental biodiversity

Support farms of all sizes and types that subscribe to DOAM principles

Honesty, trust, mutual helpfulness, cooperation/collaboration

Be farmer driven

• Objectives

Organize 1 or more groups of farmers and their stakeholders, each of which will:

Constitute itself: Consisting (eventually) of at least 2? 3? Farmers and such stakeholders as consumers, hucksters, markets, value-added producers (including restaurants), youth/potential farmers

Establish verification procedures sufficient to assure compliance with DOAM standards and that are minimally invasive/time consuming for farmer

Support its members to achieve compliance and satisfactory (to farmer) production and life style