OF&G push for policy recognition with launch of organic manifesto
29th Mar 2022
OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers) has published its manifesto ‘Championing organic within agricultural policy’ to highlight the key advantages of the organic approach in response to the unprecedented transitional upheaval in the farming sector.
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BBC Countryfile on 'regenerative farming'
28th Mar 2022
In the latest episode of BBC one’s flagship countryside programme Countryfile, they cover the potential for regenerative farming in the UK.
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Ecosystem service indicator survey
28th Mar 2022
Help us to identify indicators that can capture the provisioning of ecosystem services by farming systems, in particular those with a focus on biodiversity, human nutrition and social well-being.
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Including diverse leys in arable rotations
1st Mar 2022
New Practice Abstract written by Katie Bliss and Mark Measures as part of the DiverIMPACTS project. Bliss K, Measures M (2022) Including diverse leys in arable rotations. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6241557 Problem Leguminous leys are a cornerstone…
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Pasture-fed production: Findings from the SEEGSLIP project
24th Feb 2022
https://youtu.be/eYOWbze6aIU The SEEGSLIP project sought to evidence the practices of a particular group of farmers, the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) in terms of their social, ecological and economic sustainability. This video explains the project, the…
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More organic land needed for growing organic market
23rd Feb 2022
Soil Association Certification’s Organic Market Report 2022 reveals the UK organic market is now worth a record £3.05 billion after a 5.2% growth in sales in 2021, with shoppers spending almost £60 million on organic…
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Increased payment rates for organic farming brings opportunities as market grows
14th Feb 2022
Farmers who convert to organic will receive up to double the previous rates in a raft of government payment increases that are launching amid strong growth across the organic market. Payments for organic farming in…
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Manual: Welfare and environmental impact of organic pig production. A review
11th Feb 2022
This recently published manual contains 29 factsheets created within the POWER project (part of Horizon 2020, CORE Organic Co-fund project). The manual is split into chapters with the factsheets presented under four major themes. The…
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A decade of field labs
9th Feb 2022
Now in its 10th year, the Innovative Farmers network is celebrating the success of more than 120 field labs that have placed farmers in the driving seat of agricultural research, with the network connected with…
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Use of Complementary and Alternative Methods is significantly reducing antibiotic use and vet costs on UK and Irish farms
28th Jan 2022
A survey of over 220 livestock farms (80% commercial) in the UK and Ireland has reported up to 69% reduction in antibiotic use, up to 70% reduction in vet costs, significant reduction in disease frequency…
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Agroforestry Policy Brief
27th Jan 2022
How can agroforestry contribute towards biodiversity conservation? The Policy Brief, written by Colin Tosh, is based on evidence presented in, and feedback to the online workshop held 20/10/2021. The key findings were: Agroforestry increases farmland…
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Defra: Multi-agency response to GM wheat trial 21/R52/01
27th Jan 2022
GM Freeze, ORC and twenty five other organisations have asked Defra not to allow the John Innes Centre to plant another open field trial of genetically modified wheat. Read the letter here
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2022 funding is now OPEN for applications to the Dean Organic Fund
27th Jan 2022
We are very pleased to announce that the third round of Dean Organic Fund (DOF) funding is now open, with up to £200,000 of interest-free loans available for small businesses. The Organic Research Centre (ORC)…
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ORC highlights from the Oxford Real Farming Conference
24th Jan 2022
Beyond the Farmgate: Exploring Supply Chain Needs for Diverse Agroecological Systems https://youtu.be/YPrsgw3sSoU Oxford Real Farming Conference 2022 discussion with Katie Bliss, Julie Brown, Josiah Meldrum, James Woodward, George Young. Katie Bliss talks on DiverIMPACTS 'Enabling…
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Assessing the multidimensional elements of sustainability in European agroforestry systems
13th Jan 2022
New paper published from the SustainFARM project team. A real team effort with Laurence Smith, Samantha Mullender, Sally Westaway and Jo Smith contributing authors from ORC. Smith LG, Westaway S, Mullender S, Ghaley BH, Xu…
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40 years of ORC: Pioneering research in #40rganic farming
21st Dec 2021
To round off our 40th anniversary year we have published an ebook celebrating our pioneer research in organic farming. This brings together all the Factsheets and Research Digests that we have put together over the…
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ORC at the Northern Real Farming Conference
16th Dec 2021
https://youtu.be/2Lp8-zGh5vI How can agroforestry contribute towards climate change mitigation? Discussion hosted by the Organic Research Centre https://youtu.be/S9EOe0lD3ZY Workshop hosted by the Soil Association, featuring ORC's Dominic Amos See Full NFRC2021 Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0vTtYvEz3cDwihkTjAn8LJp1hFrbGRL
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Christmas gift ideas for organic farmers and friends
16th Dec 2021
Searching for last minute Christmas presents for the organic farmer or grower in your life? We have found some ethical options from our friends and partners. Gift membership of the Organic Growers Alliance includes subscription…
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A Christmas message from ORC’s CEO, Lucy MacLennan
8th Dec 2021
A Christmas message from Lucy MacLennan for ORC's friends and supporters, including images from our 40th anniversary year.
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COVID impacts on farm mental health survey
24th Nov 2021
The Farming Mental Health project run by the Universities of Reading, Sheffield, Exeter is seeking to understand the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on rural communities within the United Kingdom, specifically the farming community. Photo:…
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Come and join us! We are recruiting a Fundraising Manager (G7)
22nd Nov 2021
Fundraising Manager (G7) REF: ADM2101 Salary range: £28,000 – £33,000 (FTE) per annum depending on experience The closing date for applications is 12 noon 17th December 2021. We are looking to appoint a Fundraising Manager (G7)…
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Lucy MacLennan at COP26
17th Nov 2021
On Thursday 11th November our Chief Executive Lucy MacLennan spoke at the Agri-Food Transition Summit at COP26, in the Climate Action Innovation Zone. The session was titled 'Transformational Agri Food systems: Reforming our systems to…
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Agroforestry in the Uplands - a new short film
5th Nov 2021
The Soil Association have just released a new short film Agroforestry in the Uplands which focuses on why trees and hedgerows on upland farms are good for livestock, the environment, biodiversity, soil health and the…
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