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About SAMsn

Project Outline

The Sustainable Agriculture/Horticultural Management Systems Network (SAMsn) has been established by a group of organisations who have a common goal in developing a central resource of information and principles that could be used to assist in the development of any agriculture /horticulture industry Sustainable Management System (SMS) now, and in the future.

SAMsn was successful in obtaining funding from the Sustainable Farming Fund, managed by MAF, to undertake and document research (see The SAMsn Initiative - Research Report) and develop a framework and information resource (this website) to underpin sustainable management systems in the New Zealand agriculture and horticulture sectors.

In March 2003 a workshop was convened of all industry stakeholders to present the findings of the research and to confirm the direction for the framework.
The findings from the SAMsn research and framework development will assist in the identification of critical issues and in facilitating consistency in development and management of future SMS programmes.

The basis for the project are the 'pillars' of environment, economics and social responsibility, (otherwise known as the 'triple bottom line')as these form foundations of any system which seeks to address on-farm sustainable management.

What is this resource - how do you use it?


This resource is a 'directory' for those seeking to develop a programme for an industry group or sector, or to assist in the review and improvements to current programmes.

The directory provides:

  • Background information on sustainable management systems
  • A decision support process for sustainable management systems
  • Recommended programme components
  • Resources available for use in the system

The directory is not an SMS itself, but is a framework or 'information hub' - providing information and processes to assist you in developing a programme, or enhancing your existing system in response to customer requirements. Within the broader scope of EMS/QA there are many types of programmes, each with an individual focus, because each programme reflects the requirements of the industry or sector for which the programme was developed.

However underlying the range of programmes in use are principles that are similar in that they seek to develop quality systems that address on-farm issues, and to provide assurance to the customer or consumer about the methods used to develop the product