Tim Carey, a former student at the Welsh College of Horticulture, funded through VON’s bursary scheme, has recently become the fifth UK grower to be awarded Stockfree Organic Certification.
With co-worker Lloyd English,Tim is busy bringing Oakcroft Organic Gardens, one of the UK’s longest standing organic market gardens, back into production and plans to grow vegetables, salads, herbs, fruit and flowers for sale in the Malpas area of South Cheshire, with a view to possibly setting up a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project in the future.
Following the retirement of the garden’s owner Mehr Fardoonji, the land has been out of full production for a couple of years, so initial work involves levelling, improving drainage and dealing with weeds. Plans include the widespread use of green manures, experimentation with no-dig methods and bulk compost production. A feature of the garden is two greenhouses on rails which enable early crops to be started under cover and then ‘put out’ by moving the greenhouses.
An Open Day will take place on Saturday, 19 September from 1.30pm. All welcome, especially anyone wishing to volunteer to help out at the garden. Contact Tim on 07726 266501 for details.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
(1) Founded in 1996, the Vegan-Organic Network is an ambitious charity with an international network of active supporters. It aims to research and promote vegan-organic (stockfree) methods of agriculture and horticulture so that clean, green, cruelty-free, food becomes widely available.
It publishes a magazine “Growing Green International” and advice leaflets. There is also a free advice service for members of the public, home growers, smallholders and farmers. The Network organises farm walks, allotment and garden visits and volunteer placements on stockfree holdings.
(2) VON’s stockfree organic standards inspected by the Soil Association are available for farmers and growers who wish to grow produce in the most ethical and environmentally-friendly way. The stockfree organic symbol is the consumer’s guarantee of “organic plus” food.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally Ford – Press Officer
01584 872224
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
3 September 2009 ref. S1017
Press Release: 5th Grower Awarded Stockfree Organic Certification
Growing Green International
Information for growers looking to convert to Stockfree Organic methods
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Video Feature
[Double-click to view in fullscreen] Farmer Iain Tolhurst demonstrates how people can be fed with food gown Stockfree. Organically, Ethically and Sustainably. Copies of the DVD can be purchased by contacting VON.
Audio Feature
Hear Graham Cole from Vegan Organic Network explain why animal manure is not a good idea, and what alternatives there are.
Listen to Part 2...
Hear the final part of the interview...
VON Meetings
Trustees/working group meetings are held, usually on the 1st Saturday in each month apart from January and August when there is no meeting.
These are open to all VON members who would like to get to know the core group and if possible help out. Others who would like to find out more about us may also be able to attend. Participation in our work is positively welcomed. We usually meet in south Manchester at 1.30pm. This location is good for access by Metrolink or bus; you will be very welcome.
Please contact Peter White by sending an email to the general/business enquiries section on our contacts page, prior to coming in case the venue or time changes, and so you can receive the agenda.
