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Events and Activities
CUMBRIA ORGANICS organises events to help to put people in touch with one another and to provide information and workshops on organic production and marketing opportunities.
To advertise on this page, please email us.

Non-members are usually welcome but please let us know if you intend to attend



3rd, 4th and 5th May

Food Lovers Festival at Oldham – NWOC, NWOMP and CO will be represented.



4th and 5th May 2008

2nd Northern Biodynamic Conference is being held at Brantwood, Coniston.

The Conference is titled ‘Long Life to the Land’.  Book for this at Brantwood.  Credit/debit card payment preferred telephone 015394 41396 ( 10am-4.30pm ).  Cheques payable to ‘The Brantwood Trust’, sent to: BD Conference, Brantwood, Coniston ,   Cumbria LA21 8AD.  Places are limited.



May Cumbria Farmer Network are organising a visit to an Anaerobic Biodigester on a farm at Dalbeattie at the beginning of May.  If you are interested in going, contact Kate ASAP.


Sunday July 6th Cumbria Organics Farm Walk at Paul Casson’s farm, Beaumontgate, Slyne, Lancaster .  Family event and a chance to look round this established organic dairy farm. More details nearer the time.


CO Farm walk at Wootton Park Farms, Staffordshire, courtesy of Farms Manager, John Reid, (formerly of Lowther Park Farms).  Are you interested in this and possibly also a visit to the JCB factory?  The Bamford family own both.  Please let Kate know if you are interested in going in August or September, what dates, and whether you would be interested in the factory visit.


Permaculture course running at Middlewood this season– contact www.middlewood.org.uk


April-May 2008

Biodynamic Introductory Workshops

The BDAA is offering a series of introductory workshops across the country for farmers and gardeners who are interested in developing their organic system and enhancing the health and vitality of their crops and livestock.  Each one is led by an experienced practitioner who can demonstrate the key principles involved in a practical hands on way.  Topics covered include: Biodynamic concept of the farm, soil and compost treatment, the use of biodynamic sprays, the planting calendar, quality and Demeter standards.  Participants should bring suitable outdoor clothing and a packed lunch.  Cost for the day is £30 / £25 conc.  Workshops will take place from 10.00 – 17.30.  Workshops will be taking place in the following areas: 12th April – Sheffield 3rd May – N. Yorkshire 31st May – Dumfriesshire.  For further information and to book contact: Biodynamic Agricultural Association, Painswick Inn Project, Gloucester Street , Stroud GL5 1QG Tel 01453 759501 Email: office@biodynamic.org.uk or visit www.biodynamic.org.uk



13 May
20 May
1 June
20 July
20 August
14 September
20 September
28 September

 

Flora of the Fells farm walks for the public (and that’s you if you’d like to go along and support or learn about different types of farm…) will be held at:

Deer n Dexter on 1st June, 20th July, 20th August and 14th September

Matson Ground on 20th July and 14th September

Susan Aglionby’s at Armathwaite on 13th May

Howbarrow on 20th September

Low Sizergh on 28th September

Book for Deer n Dexter with Jane Emmerson on 01768 480069

Book for all others on 01539 720 788 and look on the website www.floraofthefells.com



Are you interested in having more school visits to your farm? Then the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme & Vocational Training could help you.  Courses are being organised this autumn at Garstang, starting on 31st October and at Low Luckens Organic Resource Centre on 6th/7th November.  Contact Ian at ian@farmgarden.org.uk or phone 01373 302204.  Most farmers will be eligible for the subsidised rate of £75 + VAT.  STOP PRESS Soil Association will pay for this if you are interested in having more school visits to your farm.  Ask about it when you book.  

The Forward Farming project, run by Myerscough college is organising a number of events in Cumbria – have a look in their booklet and contact Andrea Gardner for more details 07801 022880.  

Director / Trustee / Committee Training 
Are you a member of a Board or similar and looking for training to help you with your role? Contact Kate for details of a course in the NW this year 

Low Luckens Organic Resource Centre have recently finalised their programme of events for the coming year. Look on the website (www.lowluckensfarm.co.uk) to see more details about:– ‘Making Music, Belly Dancing, Wildflowers, Willow workshops, Herbal workshops, Moths, Bike-rides, Meditation, Compost - toilet building……’ 

From the Soil Association - Tractor Ted  
We have recently helped develop a film called Tractor Ted visits an Organic Farm - part of a popular series aimed at toddlers. The makers of the film are able to offer the dvd at trade prices for farm shops (trade £5.99 - RRP £10.99). To help boost sales - if you are planning a large public open day, there is also an opportunity for Tractor Ted to visit the farm (a large wooden model that children can play on). Please contact me if you are interested raker@soilassociation.org

Check the Cumbria Farmers' Network website for more details about what else is happening www.cumbriafarmernetwork.co.uk

Feed from farms and livestock trade information - contact Susan Woof 015396 21343. Store and Breeding Sheep Sales at Hexham and Dumfries .  Not sure of dates at the moment due to disruption.  Please contact them directly to find out when new dates have been arranged (probably Dumfries sale towards the end of October).

Buy collectively with Growing Well KLASSMANN COMPOST.   Thinking of next year?  I am trying to get together a buying group, for compost or growing media.  I have been quoted £4.30 inc VAT/70 litre bag of Klasmann Blocking, seed module, potting, and general purpose peat free, delivered to Low Sizergh, Kendal.  This is based on a full load of 27 pallets.  If we don’t get 27 the price will increase.  If you are interested please contact me James@growingwell.co.uk or phone 015395 61777.  Deadline end of October, payment will have to be made with your order and transport from Low Sizergh must be arranged.  Have you thought about becoming a member of Growing Well?  Check out www.growingwell.co,uk James Smith, Growing Co-ordinator, Growing Well, Low Sizergh Farm, Kendal LA8 8AE.

Farming Connect Cumbria Technical Consultancy Grants are still available for specialist advice to help you develop your business.  Eligible items include: planning advice, manure management plans, nutrient budgeting and renewable energy advice. Telephone 01768 891444.  Small capital grants for specific items are also available for FCC clients who have not had a grant from the programme.

Workshop on the Effects of the Environment on the Nutritional Quality and Safety of Organically Produced Foods to be held at the University of Reading on 18 and 19 December 2007.  The purpose of the Workshop, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council as part of their Environment and Human Health programme, is to address the following questions:  Are there quantifiable effects of organic rather than conventionally produced food on human health?  How does the environment impact on these possible health benefits?  How do the public perceive these benefits? and to define the current state of understanding and outline future research possibilities.  Information regarding the Workshop, along with registration details, can be found at: http://www.apd.rdg.ac.uk/organicfoods

SAC Organic Farming Event for Business Professionals, Advisers and Producers One-day Conference on BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN ORGANIC FARMING
Wednesday 17TH October,
09.30am . Birnam Institute, Birnam, Dunkeld  
Speakers: Wide range of advisors and those experienced in the organic market.  
Further information from
Caroline Bayliss, SAC (tel 01224 711073)

Organic Inform
This is a very useful website for keeping up with news and events in the organic world, including easily digested summaries of research projects.  They are holding another producer conference on 10th and 11th December.
PLEASE SIGN UP to updates on the website.