Welcome to the Organic Growers Alliance, and to the first issue of The Organic Grower – its magazine.
OGA is committed to the concept of regional groups and groups such as TOG, DOG and DGG will hopefully become much more geographically widespread in the future. If you have a local growers group and want to tell us what you are up to please contact us. If any OGA members are thinking about establishing a regional group then we will be happy to advise in their formation. In a future issue we will look at existing groups in more detail and explore the potential for their establishment elsewhere.
TOG is a self-supporting group aiming to promote the production and consumption of organic vegetables and to strengthen the integrity of organic standards. Presently there are 17 grower members covering the counties of Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and London - we do actually have a grower member on an urban farm project in the capital!
TOG runs a range of activities including quarterly meetings with farm walks at member’s holdings, representation to the Soil Association and other organic bodies, bulk purchases, mutual support for technical issues and at least two social events per year. The chairman is Iain Tolhurst and Tamara Schiopu is the group secretary .
Membership costs £25
www.thamesorganicgrowers.org
Email: info@thamesorganicgrowers.co.uk
DOG, the Devon growers group, is having a quiet time this year with no events planned so far. It remains a means of keeping in touch for organic growers in Devon.
For details contact Buffy Rickeard
01822 840382
Email: jeremyandbuffy.olivegrove@virgin.net
The group was formed last year and has an increasing membership (now 20 plus holdings) covering all Dorset and its borders. Three meetings/farm walks are scheduled for this summer. Members bring food for a potluck supper at each event. There is no committee and no subscription, thanks to the Chalk and Cheese project undertaking any necessary mailing. The role of coordinator is held on a rotational basis. This year the contact is Annie Sax of Long Crichel Organics.
01258 830295
Email: longcrichelgardens@cooptel.net