One-day seminars on organic food production and supply chains
Rachel Harries
Bursaries available too!
Rachel Harries | Soil Association | South Plaza, Marlborough Street | Bristol BS1 3NX | t: 0117 987 4601 | m: 07795 528926 | Twitter: @rachel_harries
From: psum...@yahoo.co.uk [mailto:psum...@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: 07 January 2015 16:41
To: philsumption
Subject: [All OGA Members] One-day seminars on organic food production and supply chains
philsumption has sent you a group email from organicgrowersalliance.co.uk.
Dear all,
Please find info on the programme of introductory seminars on organic farming matters, that ORC are running this January and February. Please pass on to anyone who might be interested.
One-day seminars on organic food production and supply chains
Now is a good time to take a fresh look at organic farming as a realistic and viable business option. The new, favourable Countryside Stewardship Scheme support rates for organic farming in England, together with a recovering market, means that the time is right. The Organic Research Centre has put together a programme of seminars aimed at farmers/farm managers, advisers/land agents, researchers, young people including students/apprentices, and others involved in the food supply chain. These seminars aim to introduce the principles and practices of organic farming, alongside up-to-date market and business information, to enable attendees to evaluate the options.
1.
Introduction to organic farming and food
supply chains - principles and practice
Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2015, 10 am – 4pm
Venue: Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR
2.
Introduction to the business of organic
food and farming
Date: Thursday, 29 January 2015, 10 am – 4pm
Venue: Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR
3.
Introduction to organic arable and horticultural
production systems and markets
Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2015, 10 am – 4pm
Venue: Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 OBW
4.
Introduction to organic livestock husbandry
and markets
Date: Thursday, 12 February 2015, 10 am – 4pm
Venue: Abbey Home Farm, Burford Road, Cirencester, GL7 5HF
5.
Organic food supply chains and the environment
Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2015, 10 am – 4pm
Venue: Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR
6.
Farm sustainability assessment for improved
performance and customer guarantee
Date: Thursday, 26 February 2015, 10 am – 4pm
Venue: Duchy Home Farm, Broadfield Farm, Tetbury GL8 8SE
Seminar cost (local and organic lunch & refreshments included):
- Reduced price for eligible participants (see below) £50 + VAT
- Full price for participants not-eligible for funding £100 + VAT
- 100% bursaries available for eligible individuals (see below)
On-line booking is available on each event page. Alternatively, you can register directly and pay by cheque, BACS or credit card by contacting Gillian Woodward. Continued…
RDPE support available:
50% fee reduction for English producers and others obtaining a living from agriculture or agricultural products. Eligibility includes producers and employees of producer groups, supply chain businesses, direct retailers, small consultancy businesses, but not multiple retailers, government departments, agencies or public bodies including universities. Participants must be living/working in England. To benefit please download, complete and sign the Trainee Registration form for each event and send to Gillian Woodward at ORC. You can still register and pay on-line.
Bursaries available:
We have funds from various sources, including the Ernest Cook Trust (nationwide), the Gordon Palmer Memorial Trust (Berkshire residents only), and the Greenham Common Trust (West Berkshire residents only) to enable young people (students/apprentices/new entrants) with limited means to attend the seminars. If you think you may qualify, for any of the above bursaries please contact Gillian Woodwardwith details of your address, age and circumstances to check eligibility.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The Organic Research Centre based at Elm Farm near Newbury is the UK’s leading independent research centre dedicated to the development of sustainable food systems based on organic/agro-ecological principles. Further information on our activities can be found at www.organicresearchcentre.com
For interviews contact: Nic Lampkin: ni...@organicresearchcentre.com 07771 961279
Details on the financial performance of organic farms over several years can be found in a review report produced by the Organic Research Centre:
http://www.organicresearchcentre.com/?i=articles.php&art_id=704&go=Information%20and%20publications
The most recent organic farm income results for 2012/13 are available in an Aberstwyth University Report:
http://www.organicresearchcentre.com/?i=articles.php&art_id=719&go=Information%20and%20publications
Further information on the Organic Farm Management Handbook can be found at: