This year’s annual joint event between NIAB and HDRA, the organic organisation, at Ryton Organic Gardens near Coventry on November 30, will focus on organic seed issues, heritage varieties, the market and variety selection.
Growers need confidence in new varieties and in organic seed, which means that results from variety trials assume great importance. Results from recent organic variety trials on potatoes, carrots, onions, lettuce and other crops will be presented and there will be an outline of plans for a new programme of growers’ variety trials for 2005.
With the tightening of the organic farming regulations with regards to the use of organic and non-organic seeds, the issue of seed health has become critical for some organic vegetable producers. The development of new techniques for seed sanitation and the control of seed-borne diseases is now more urgent than ever and is of interest to both producers and users of organic vegetable seeds. The latest news from the Seed Treatment for Organic Vegetable Production project will be presented by Dr Steve Roberts.
HDRA's scientific research programme is carried out to develop and improve the techniques used in organic agriculture and to advance the knowledge of organic production systems, focussing on commercial organic horticulture in temperate areas and on resource-poor systems in developing countries.
Price is £20 and includes an organic lunch. To book contact: Simon Harlock 024 7630 8200 Fax 024 7663 9229.
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