3/11/08

Event provides advice on converting to organic farming

A farm event to be held near Llandrindod Wells in Powys on the afternoon of Tuesday 18 November will be an opportunity to find out more about organic conversion. It is being organized by Organic Centre Wales as part of the Farming Connect Organic Development Programme and is suitable for new converters as well as those thinking about going organic.

David and Linda Jones of Y Ddôl, Llanbadarn Fynydd, who began conversion following the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001, are kindly hosting the event on their 600 ha upland beef, sheep and poultry farm. The afternoon will be led by Dr Heather McCalman of the Grassland Development Centre at IBERS, with Ian Laurie, an organic farmer and Inspector for the Welsh Certification Body QWFC Ltd who will be there to talk about the organic standards, record keeping and animal health plans.

Many farmers see organic farming as a way of reducing their vulnerability to increases in fossil fuel costs, and making their farming systems more sustainable. Organic Centre Wales (OCW) is able to help by means of the Organic Conversion Information Service as well as events such as this, which give farmers an opportunity to talk to others who are also going through conversion.

“Farmers are great adaptors, which is just as well because of the many changes that have happened to the agricultural industry over the last decade,” said Philip Jones of OCW. “This new century wasn’t very old before the livestock sector was tossed into the turmoil of foot and mouth which was soon followed by a new approach to the EU Support Payments, and now rising input costs, climate change and oil famine. But organic conversion is one change you can plan for.”

The event starts at 1.30pm with presentations and a short farm walk, before returning to the yard for refreshments and an opportunity to ask questions. It is free, but you should register with Philip Jones on 01970 622248 to ensure a place and check that there has been no change to the arrangements.

Ends

More information

Philip Jones, Helpline Officer, Organic Centre Wales, Aberystwyth University. Tel. 01970 622100, e-mail pij@aber.ac.uk. 

John Hughes, OCW Support Officer on : 07764 774004.

Notes for the editor

1. Organic Centre Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide information on organic food and farming to producers, food businesses, consumers and others. It is based at Aberystwyth University and run by a partnership consisting of the ADAS, the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm, and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University. See www.organic.aber.ac.uk

2. The Organic Conversion Information Service (01970 622100) is funded by WAG to provide information to producers considering conversion – an information pack and up to two free on-farm visits are available.

3. The Organic Farming Scheme is temporarily closed due to changes in the way that the Scheme is being administered but should reopen in time for farmers to apply in 2009. Further information can be obtained from WAG Divisional Offices and OCW. To qualify, farms need to be certified as organic by a recognised body and have completed an OFS application form which needs to be accepted by WAG.

4. Farming Connect, working closely with its partner organisations, provides one to one support, knowledge, expertise, training and advisory services tailored to the needs of farmers in Wales. Many of these services are fully funded or subsidised and the service is both flexible and accessible. You can register with the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813 or contact Farming Connect directly at your nearest WAG Divisional Office. OCW is funded by Farming Connect to deliver the Organic Development Programme.

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