Janie Caldbeck

“For me ‘organic’ has always been the norm in my life. This has stemmed really from my upbringing and love of growing my own vegetables and recognising that not using chemicals creates better tasting veg, has minimal harmful impact on the environment in which they’re growing and the wider environment, and is more beneficial for human health.”

Job title:

Agricology Content Editor

Role and responsibilities:

I co-ordinate, create and edit the content (ranging from a library of resources to videos, blogs, podcasts and farmer profiles) held on the Agricology website, working closely with researchers, farmers and others from within the industry to make it a valuable knowledge hub for sustainable farming practices.

I hold a Masters in Creative Writing and a BSc Hons in Horticulture for which I specialised in ethnobotany (global plant use) and science communication. I have conducted research in a range of areas including CO2 emissions in relation to drainage of peatlands, the use of biochar as a soil management tool, building fertility using clover and legumes, medicinal uses of trees, and ways in which trees can be integrated into farms and farming practices.

I previously worked as a technical writer alongside the ORC research and information teams (on the LegLINK and OSCAR projects), the Institute of Organic Training and Advice (IOTA), and partners on the on-line Ecofarming information hub.

Research interests:

Agroecological farming practices, agroforestry, ethnobotany

Interests outside of ORC:

Growing lots of tasty veg, being on the tops of mountains and beside the sea, and visual, written and performance arts.

Research projects

Contact:

janie.c@organicresearchcentre.com