Change direction – consider the Organic route

Farmers are always looking for new ways of generating income from the land through diversification. Examining developing markets and producing for them can often prove valuable.

Changing direction is a big step to take, but for some farmers in Northern Ireland converting to organic methods has worked well and proved to be rewarding both financially and in terms of personal satisfaction.

Jonathan Carson who farms 140 hectares near Strangford says, “The challenge for us in converting to organic was changing from a high N regime to clover swards. We aimed for maximum returns through adding a higher value to the meat produced. After four years there are still challenges ahead, but so far we have achieved what we intended. Benchmarking the farm has also given us proof that what we are doing is viable”.

All such changes come with challenges and elements of the unknown. Whilst most farmers have heard about organic farming they are unsure of what it involves and where they can find out more information. However, help is at hand from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

The Organic Development Advisers at Greenmount Campus regularly deliver a two day short course to help farmers find out the basic requirements of entering into organic production. This 'Introduction to Organic Production' course, is aimed at farmers and growers who have little knowledge of what organic production involves.

The next course will be run on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 September 2010 at Greenmount Campus, Antrim.

During the two day programme the basic principles of organic production are outlined including, certification with an organic control body, grant funding, and access to potential markets. You will be given guidance on how to start the process of conversion to organic production methods, and there will be optional sessions on organic livestock, veterinary issues, and horticultural production. Included in the programme will be a tour of the Greenmount Organic Unit, which is a largely self-sufficient 36 ha beef and sheep / arable organic farm.

There is no charge for the course, but places must be booked in advance by Thursday 16 September. To make a booking contact Adrian Saunders at Greenmount Campus on (028) 9442 6765 or adrian.saunders@dardni.gov.uk

Discussing organic sward management at Greenmount