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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Farmer-to-farmer webinar programme, advice and farm tour
2nd Nov 2021
The second half of the farmer to farmer webinar programme is now live, and farm tours and advisory services have started as part of the Your Farming Future programme, a package of support offered by…
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Podcast: How trees can increase livestock's welfare and productivity
2nd Nov 2021
ORC's Senior Livestock Researcher Lindsay Whistance features on a fascinating recent Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast. Through Lindsay's extensive knowledge of silvopasture, she enables us to see agroforestry from the animal’s perspective. Trees can provide livestock with…
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How can agroforestry contribute towards biodiversity conservation?
29th Oct 2021
How can agroforestry contribute to the achievement of future targets and what policy environment can support it? We explored this question in a recent webinar (October 20th) with a panel representing the latest research, on-farm…
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LIVESEED project comes to an end after 52 months
28th Oct 2021
The LIVESEED project came to an end on 30 September 2021, after 52 months of activities. Started in June 2017, 51 project partners put their hearts and souls into boosting organic seed and plant breeding.…
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Herbicides: A threat to bee and pollinator survival
26th Oct 2021
Many assumed that with the banning of neonicotinoids in the EU and UK, bees and pollinators would now be safe from harms caused by pesticides. However, this view ignores the impacts that ongoing, widespread use…
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PhD opportunity. Tree species choice in agroforestry systems: do mycorrhizal associations affect soil microbiomes and crop yields?
26th Oct 2021
This project, at the Department of Biology, University of York, is part of the NERC ACCE Doctoral Training Partnership. About the Project Agroforestry systems have the potential to play an important part in maintaining ecosystem…
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Film: What farmers have learnt from the living mulch field lab
26th Oct 2021
Living mulches offer a way to build fertility without tillage or synthetic inputs, while sequestering more carbon and cutting costs. But can they be achieved without a significant yield penalty? Six farmers have been working with…
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Defra Future Farming Innovation Programme: applications open
26th Oct 2021
Defra and UKRI have released further details on their programme of long-term funding to support agricultural innovation. Bioeconomy and agroforestry is one of the themes In partnership with UKRI, Defra is encouraging farmers, growers, foresters and businesses to get involved in…
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Mark Measures' dedication to organic farming celebrated at 40th anniversary event
11th Oct 2021
Mark Measures, who had been at the ORC since joining Elm Farm Research Centre as the Farm Manager in 1983, was commended on his dedication and support for organic farming, advice and research at ORC's…
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40 years of industry-leading organic research celebrated
11th Oct 2021
Originally established as the Elm Farm Research Centre in 1981, over the last forty years the organisation has delivered pioneering research that has helped transform the organic sector in the UK and beyond. During this…
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The future of organic farming and priorities for research
11th Oct 2021
Andrew Burgess (Chair of the NFU Organic Forum), Christine Watson (Professor at SRUC/ORC Trustee), Ian Wilkinson (Co-founder of FarmED) and Ashley Wheeler (YOFY 2021 award winner and grower) joined a panel discussion chaired by Janet…
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Winner of ORC's Young Organic Farmer/ Grower of the Year Award announced
11th Oct 2021
Ashley Wheeler and Kate Norman of Trill Farm Garden, Musbury, Devon, were announced as winners of ORC's first YOFY award at a special 40th anniversary event at FarmEd on 30th September 2021. YOFY winners Kate…
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