The annual joint open day between plant sciences company Niab and HDRA, the national charity for organic growing, will be held on November 29 at the HDRA headquarters at Ryton Organic Gardens, Warwickshire.

The event will focus on the latest developments and opportunities in the organic vegetable market, the socio-economic benefits of organic horticulture on the rural economy and the latest results from this year's organic vegetable variety trials.

HDRA researcher Phil Sumption said: "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 by NIAB and results from the pilot programme of growers' trials of lettuce and cabbage varieties will also be available."

Natalie Geen will present the latest news from HDRA's Defra-funded organic vegetable market study and the results from the Supermarket Watch Survey, in which more than 300 HDRA members monitored the organic vegetables available in supermarkets last year.

Also speaking at the event will be Joy Carey, from the Soil Association, who will explore the opportunities for growers to supply the expanding public procurement sector. And Matt Read, of Exeter University, will present research showing the positive impact that organic horticulture can make on the rural economy.

* The open day costs £20 per delegate and includes an organic lunch and can be booked at www.organicveg.org.uk

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