5/1/09

Welsh farmers can get up-to-date business information for the organic sector

Copies of the 2009 edition of the Organic Farm Management Handbook, published late last year by Aberystwyth University and the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm, are being made available free of charge to Welsh producers thanks to funding from Farming Connect.

A limited number of free copies are available to registered organic producers in Wales, as well as those receiving Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) visits and those attending selected Farming Connect organic events. In addition, producers who participated in the recent organic producer survey organized by OCW will be receiving their complimentary copy through the post in the next few weeks. Copies are also available to purchase by contacting Organic Centre Wales.

The Handbook, now in its eighth edition, contains business information for farmers, advisers and others concerned with the management of organic farms. It covers the key aspects of organic farm management including technical information on farming systems; standards and certification; government support schemes and financial data for the major livestock and cropping enterprises.

“The information in this book is absolutely vital for every organic farm business, particularly those who are navigating through a tricky period, or going though process of change such as organic conversion,” said Tony Little, Advisory Services Coordinator at Organic Centre Wales. “That is why I am delighted that we are able to make the book available to so many farmers in Wales.”

The regulations governing organic farming in Europe will change from 1 January 2009 and the likely impact for producers is considered throughout the new edition. The new regulations contain a clear statement of the objectives and principles of organic farming, covering core ideas of organic farming such as working with farm-derived rather than external inputs. The new regulations also aim to bring greater uniformity in interpreting organic rules across Europe.

The 2009 Organic Farm Management Handbook, by N. Lampkin, M. Measures and S. Padel (ISBN 978 1 872064 44 2) is priced at £17.50 plus post and packing (£1.50 UK, £3.50 overseas). Trade and bulk orders (five copies or more) are £12.50 plus post and packing at cost.

To purchase a copy, call Organic Centre Wales on 01970 622248 or e-mail organic@aber.ac.uk. To see if you might be eligible for a free copy, call the organic helpline on 01970 622100 or e-mail organic-helpline@aber.ac.uk.

Ends

More information

Phil Jones, Organic Helpline Officer, Organic Centre Wales, IBERS, Aberystwyth University SY23 3AL. Tel. 01970 622100, e-mail organic-helpline@aber.ac.uk 

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.

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 three free on-farm visits are available.

 3. 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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