7/8/08

Find out about organic farming at the county shows

Farmers who are thinking about converting to organic management can find out more by visiting the Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and Denbigh and Flint Shows this summer, where the Organic Development Programme, delivered by Organic Centre Wales on behalf of Farming Connect, will be represented.

At the Ynys Môn Show at Llangefni, Anglesey, on 12-13 August, OCW will be in the same marquee as the Centre for Alternative Land Use, and a representative will be there to give help and information to farmers. The Pembrokeshire Organic Group will have a stand at the Pembrokeshire Show in Haverfordwest on 19-21 August, where OCW representatives together with experienced organic farmers will be on hand to answer queries. At the Denbigh and Flint Show on 21 August, the information will be in the Farming Connect trailer, with help and advice available from staff members.

‘If you are thinking of converting, your first port of call is Organic Centre Wales,’ said Carolyn Wacher of Organic Centre Wales, who is coordinating the organic presence at the Shows. ‘At these Shows, you will be able to pick up our leaflet ‘Thinking of Going Organic’ and other information for farmers. There will be an opportunity to talk to our staff members at these events, and if you then wish to take it further by arranging free visits to the farm from the Organic Conversion Information Service, you can ring our helpline on 01970 622100.’

OCW received a record number of organic conversion information requests at the Royal Welsh Show this year, indicating that the trend started with the very large number of applications for the Organic Farming Scheme in May is continuing. High conventional input prices, especially fertilisers, and the potential to reduce stock numbers, are driving many producers to look seriously at organic production. However, producers considering conversion need to be sure that they could survive financially even if market conditions mean the livestock are sold into the conventional market.

The benefits of organic farming are now widely recognised, with improvements to many aspects of the farming system. The Welsh Assembly Government aims to convert 10-15% of agricultural land in Wales to organic management by 2010, supporting new converters via the Organic Farming Scheme and providing funding for Organic Centre Wales. It also funds the Organic Conversion Information Service, which is free and includes up to two on-farm advisory visits, and the Farming Connect Organic Development Programme.

Ends

More information

Carolyn Wacher, Organic Centre Wales, Aberystwyth University. Tel. 01970 622248, e-mail ccw@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 two free on-farm visits are available.

3. The Organic Farming Scheme is open for applications – 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 your nearest WAG Divisional Centre. OCW is funded by Farming Connect to deliver the Organic Development Programme.

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