Monday 6th April 2009 - Soil and Soil Management seminar

Tolhurst Organic Produce,
Hardwick estate,
Whitchurch-on-Thames,
Pangbourne, Berkshire RG8

Hosted by Iain Tolhurst. An opportunity to learn more about the precious resource under your feet, what it is how it works and above all how to nurture it, with the aim of improving your yields and reducing the need for inputs and energy use. www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk
£25 OGA members, £35 for non-members (plus VAT)


Monday 18th May 2009 - Integrated Conservation seminar

Tolhurst Organic Produce,
Hardwick estate,
Whitchurch-on-Thames,
Pangbourne, Berkshire RG8

Hosted by Iain Tolhurst. An opportunity to learn more about utilising conservation management as a whole farm policy, not just bolting bits on but actually making conservation work for the health of your farm and the environment. The aim is to improve the flora and fauna of your farm improve your yields and reduce the need for inputs and energy use. www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk
£25 OGA members, £35 for non-members (plus VAT)


Tuesday 8th September 2009 – Transition to Local Markets

Blaencamel Farm
Cilcennin, Lampeter,
Ceredigion SA48 8DB

Come and visit a long established and innovative holding run by Anne Evans and Peter Segger, the day will include a tour of protected cropping, windrow composting and a diverse range of crops. The aim of the day is to discuss how holdings make the transition to supplying local markets. Subjects for discussion will also include Carbon sequestration and life cycle analysis for organic growers. www.blaencamel.com
£25 OGA members, £35 for non-members (plus VAT) Event kindly sponsored by Organic Centre Wales.


Thursday 17th September – Growing big: Field scale organic production

Riverford Organic Vegetables.
Buckfastleigh
Devon TQ11 0LD.

A great chance to have a look around Riverford farm, guided by farm manager John Richards including the packhouse, tunnels and a visit to a South Devon Organic Producers (SDOP) Coop Farm nearby. Subjects covered include field scale production, machinery and protected cropping. www.riverford.co.uk .
£15 OGA members and £25 for non-members. NB: Growers with a South West holding number can claim a 40% reduction thanks to VTS funding arranged by Duchy college.


Monday 2nd October – Diversifying to beat the crunch

Coleshill Organics,
Coleshill
Swindon,
SN6 7PT.

Join Pete Richardson and Sonia Oliver for a day at their successful holding. The day will include a tour of the walled garden, polytunnels and before centering on a talk on how they are taking practical steps to adapt and diversify in a changing marketplace. www.coleshillorganics.co.uk
£25 OGA members, £35 for non-members (plus VAT)


Thursday 15th October – The Future of Organic Vegetable seed

Elsoms Seeds,
Spalding,
Lincolnshire .

Join the team at Elsoms for a tour of their facilities near Spalding in Lincolnshire. This event is coupled with there annual open day and is an excellent opportunity to see a wide range of exhibitors. The day will include a tour of their Brassica trials ground as well as a talk on plant breeding and the processes necessary for producing clean seed. www.elsoms.com
£25 OGA members, £35 for non-members (plus VAT)


It is essential to book in advance for all events:
Contact: James Clapp, OGA events
Email: jamesclapp@hotmail.com
Mobile: 07973426152
Evenings: 01874 636399


For other events of relevance to organic horticulture click here to visit the Garden Organics events list.