Going organic – Roy Lyttle

The Scheme provides financial assistance over five years to help farmers with the costs and loss of income that occurs during the conversion period to organic production.

The scheme booklet is available to download at www.dardni.gov.uk/organic_farming_scheme_2007-2013.pdf

When the Organic Farming Scheme opened to applications in 2008, just over 100 applications were received. Each applicant received a farm visit, and there are now 33 signed agreements.

Roy Lyttle has been farming organically since 2000 and has converted 25 acres of land to organic status, with a further 15 acres in the process. He applied to the Organic Farming Scheme in 2008, and grows both conventional and organic vegetables.

To find out more about Roy and organic farming go to  www.dardni.gov.uk/roy_lyttle.pdf