Vegan Organic Network
Events
Microgreens, Sprouting Workshop and Vegan Pot Luck
Free event
Sunday 28 June 2026
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Hulme Community Garden Centre• 28 Old Birley St, Hulme, , Manchester, M15 5RG GB
Host contact info: events@veganorganic.net
You are invited to join our Microgreens and Sprouting Workshop and vegan food-sharing get-together.
Come and learn how to grow your own microgreens at home. Microgreens can be grown easily on a windowsill, require very little space, and are packed with nutrients. We will provide all the equipment you need, and at the end of the session you will take home your own pot of microgreens.
We will also be demonstrating how to sprout beans and pulses at home and will have samples for everyone to try. Sprouting and growing microgreens are simple, affordable ways to produce fresh, nutritious food without needing a garden.
Microgreens and pea shoots grow quickly and can be added to salads, sandwiches, wraps, and cooked dishes.
Vegan Food Sharing
Please bring a vegan dish to share if you would like to participate in the food-sharing meal.
To help people with allergies and dietary requirements, please include a list of ingredients with your dish.
Community Gathering
Music, ideas, conversation, poetry, and creativity are all welcome.
Click here to RSVP
Spaces are limited, so please RSVP in advance to help us plan for numbers.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Tree of Life Veganics Event – 3-5 July 2026
Join us at Veganic Skills Share for a weekend of learning, sharing, and connecting!
Tree of Life Veganics Farm and the Vegan Organic Network are pleased to present the first annual Veganic Skills Share.
Veganic Skills Share is taking place at Tree of Life Veganics, an off-grid veganic forest farm near Faversham in Kent on the weekend of 3rd-5th July.
This intimate mini-festival is an opportunity to explore veganic growing, food forests, and sustainable living in a friendly hands-on environment, while also building community together and relaxing on a beautiful veganic farm.
Enjoy live music with Vegan Queen V, morning yoga, reiki in the food forest, forest bathing, farm tours, foraging, animal rights talks, meditation, circus arts, sharing food together, singing around the campfire and so much more!
Only 50 spots are available, with weekend and day ticket options!
Click here to get full event details and book your spot!
Community Spirit and Compassion Shine at Manchester’s Carnival COOK-Up
On 2 June 2026, Vegan Organic Network’s event organiser Dan Graham was delighted to attend this year’s Carnival COOK-Up in Manchester — an inspiring celebration of community, sustainability, and compassion in action.
Hosted at the vibrant Freight Island venue, Carnival COOK-Up brought together around 90 enthusiastic volunteers from socially minded organisations across Greater Manchester for a unique challenge: preparing more than 1,500 nutritious vegan meals in a single day for people experiencing homelessness.
The atmosphere was nothing short of electric. With music, laughter, teamwork, and a festival-like buzz filling the venue, volunteers worked side by side against the clock, chopping, stirring, cooking, and packaging delicious plant-based meals destined for frontline homelessness organisations across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Organised by the fantastic community interest company Cracking Good Food, the event demonstrated the extraordinary impact that can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose. The 100% vegan meals prepared during the day were distributed through 13 frontline organisations supporting vulnerable individuals and families throughout the region.
What made the event even more remarkable was its commitment to tackling food waste. Every meal was created using surplus ingredients supplied through an inspiring partnership with FareShare Greater Manchester. In total, the event rescued approximately half a tonne of perfectly good food that would otherwise have gone to landfill.
This powerful combination of social action and environmental responsibility reflects many of the values championed by Vegan Organic Network. Not only did the event provide healthy, nutritious vegan meals to those in need, but it also highlighted the urgent issue of edible food waste in the UK and demonstrated practical solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
The Carnival COOK-Up showcased how food can play a central role in creating positive social change. Participants from diverse backgrounds worked together in an inclusive environment where everyone could contribute, regardless of their cooking experience. The result was a day filled with purpose, connection, and tangible impact.
As the final meals were packed and prepared for distribution, the sense of achievement throughout Freight Island was unmistakable. More than 1,500 vegan meals had been created, food waste had been prevented, and hundreds of people facing hardship would benefit from the efforts of volunteers who gave their time and energy to help others.
Carnival COOK-Up truly delivered social value at its tastiest — proving that when communities come together around good vegan food, extraordinary things can happen.
Veganic Gardeners Question Time – 28th May 2026
Ever wanted to know how to grow organically using only plant-based fertilisers?
Our monthly show is here to help!
Send your questions to: events@veganorganic.net
Thursday 28th May 2026 – 7pm (UK)
Click here to watch for free on YouTube
Panel:
Giles Bryant: Giles is the founder of World Healing Project who have promoted wellbeing initiatives around the world for 20 years this September. Giles has helped plant many veganic gardens, orchards, forest gardens and medicinal herb gardens. He has been presenting Veganic Gardeners Time for several years and loves gardening, yoga and nature. Giles is an author, music producer and songwriter who has written and recorded many albums of healing music. www.worldhealingproject.com
Keith Robertson: Founder of the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine at Drimlabarra Herb Farm on the Isle of Arran. Established in 2000, the farm is run on Veganic principles and organic philosophy. It is a Vegan sanctuary and retreat centre, dedicated to researching planetary health via herbal treatments, diet, cooking and raw food and practical hands-on green living. The focus is on community building and cooperation. People can participate through workshops, individual consultations, apprenticeships and open day visits. For more visit www.veganherbal.com
Jo Kidd: Founder of Tree of Life Veganics in Kent which is a vegan organic, biodiverse, climate resilient, no-till forest farm. Jo leads educational tours for schools and groups showing how people can live and grow in harmony with the earth, whilst simultaneously farming to produce food, fibre, shelter and medicinal plants. https://www.instagram.com/treeoflifeveganics/
Juliette Bryant: Trustee of Vegan Organic Network, founder of Juliette’s Kitchen superfood products, author, speaker and leader of Growing Nature clubs in schools. Juliette has a deep passion for plants, health and wellbeing which she shares in her videos, retreats and at events around the world. www.juliettebryant.com
Veganic Gardeners’ Question Time hopes to inspire and bring new ideas to foragers, growers and gardeners alike.
Now more than ever it is vital that we engage with how our food is grown.
A Vegan Organic Network production
Kindling Farm Visit 20th May 2026
Tour of Kindling Vegan Organic Farm
Wednesday 20th May 2026
11.00 -12.30: Tour of the farm
12.30: Refreshments provided
About the Tour
A maximum forty visitors permitted to this event. Please register in advance. The car park can only accommodate 14 cars, we will be sharing lifts in cars and possibly a minibus.
The site is accessible via public transport.
Please note that booking is essential! We kindly ask that you don’t just turn up as parking onsite is very limited. To register your place, please click here.
This activity is open to everyone with an interest in food and farming. All ages are very welcome to join us! However, please be mindful that our farm is not accessible for prams or pushchairs and the tour will involve 2 hours of walking.
In line with our policies, we ask that you don’t bring your dogs with you.
Kindling do not have a cafe on site but refreshments will be provided, you are welcome to bring an offering towards the vegan picnic after the walk.
Over the next few years, the farm will undergo refurbishment. Unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible at the moment and we have limited facilities with one indoor toilet which is up a set of stairs.
Please be aware that this activity includes quite a lot of walking; while there is no walking uphill, the ground is uneven which can be difficult for anyone with limited mobility. We suggest wearing flat, sturdy footwear which is waterproof.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact farm@kindling.org.uk or call 07926 975 391.
Website: https://kindling.org.uk/
The tour of Kindling farm on 20th May is being organised by the Vegan Organic Network.
Book on to the event here and send any enquiries about the day to events@veganorgsanic.net
About the Farm
Kindling use vegan organic methods to grow their produce.
The Vegan Organic Network has supported the farm financially and some of our members take part in their volunteer days.
Kindling Farm is a Community Benefit Society owned by our 800 members with the aim of creating a fairer and more sustainable food and farming system for all.
In April 2023, Kindling purchased a 78 acre farm between Manchester & Liverpool where we are now establishing a pioneering, agroforestry farm for the Northwest. Here we will research, explore, practise and demonstrate the best ways to farm for wildlife, climate change, soil and communities.
The Kindling farm is a traditional Victorian farm layout with beautiful redbrick buildings set around a cobbled courtyard. We have exciting plans and ideas to transform our neglected buildings into a thriving hub of activity. Over the past year, we’ve been working with communities to co-design our buildings and facilities which will be realised by Passivhaus Architects, Progress in Practice.
Kindling Agroforestry
As part of a project funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund and run by our sister organisation the Kindling Trust, over 9,000 fruit trees were grafted in 2021 – 2,000 of these are destined for Kindling Farm’s agroforestry system and orchard – including 40 heritage UK varieties.
Over the past few years we have been working with an amazing team of volunteers to plant these trees onsite. Until recently our agroforestry system largely comprised of apple trees but new this year, we have planted pears, plums and quince.
Approximately 80% of the farm will (eventually) be dedicated to field-scale production of vegetables, fruits, cereals and pulses utilising agroforestry methods. This will include approximately 2,000 top fruit, nut and bio-fuel trees, as a permanent feature within a 6 year crop rotation. Approximately 2 hectares of land will be dedicated to soft fruit production and to protected cropping of higher value crops.
While the farm team has overall responsibility for the trees, we hold a number of tree focused volunteer days throughout the year from Spring maintenance, to weeding in the first few years of growth and eventual harvesting of the fruit.
Alongside our volunteer days, we deliver a community engagement programme (currently supported by the The National Heritage Lottery Fund) which includes holding workshops to teach people about the different heritage varieties and gain new skills such as fruit tree pruning and apple tree grafting (in which you can take your own fruit tree home with you!).
Find out more about Kindling volunteer days here.
Book Farm Visit Here
🎬 Veganic for the Planet – 2026 Video Competition 🌱
🎬 Veganic for the Planet – 2026 Video Competition 🌱
As the growing season begins, the Vegan Organic Network is launching the 2026 Veganic for the Planet Video Competition — and we want to hear from you!
We’re inviting short videos from around the world that celebrate veganic growing and the people behind it. Show us thriving veganic gardens, allotments, farms, forest gardens, or growing spaces of any size. You can also take part by sharing why you’re on the Vegan Organic World Map and how veganic farming and growing can help transform our food system.
🌍 This competition is your chance to:
- Share your passion for the planet
- Inspire others with your ideas and experiences
- Help spread the message about veganic growing
- Be a voice for animals, rivers, ecosystems, and the natural world
Every entry matters. If your video inspires even one person — a friend, family member, or someone watching across the world — that’s a powerful step toward change.
🌿 Why Veganic?
Veganic growing combines the principles of vegan and organic agriculture. It ensures food is grown organically using only plant-based fertilisers, while encouraging natural biodiversity so that pesticides aren’t needed.
This approach supports:
🐝 thriving wildlife
💧 clean rivers and oceans
🌱 healthy soil
🥕 nutritious food for all
Veganic farming and gardening offer real solutions to the environmental crisis and help build a more compassionate and sustainable food system.
📹 Who Can Take Part?
Everyone! Whether you are:
- A gardener or allotment holder
- A farmer or grower
- A teacher, student, or school
- A community group
- An animal or earth advocate
—or simply someone who cares about the planet.
🎥 It only takes a minute to make a video, and your voice could help inspire change.
A personal, authentic video filmed on a phone can often be more compelling than a highly produced one.
Let’s share our visions, our solutions, and our hope for the future. Together, we can be the change we want to see in the world. 🌎💚
It’s time to get filming! 🎬🌱
🎬 Veganic for the Planet – Competition Categories & Rules 🌱
Hosted by the Vegan Organic Network
🎥 Competition Categories
You can enter one or more of the following five categories:
- Why Transform the Food System
Share your thoughts on why transforming the global food system is important and how veganic growing can help.
⏱ Maximum length: 1 minute - Why I Grow Veganically
Tell us why you choose veganic growing and what it means to you.
⏱ Maximum length: 1 minute - Why I’m on the Vegan Organic World Map
Explain why you’ve joined the Vegan Organic World Map and what it represents.
⏱ Maximum length: 1 minute - Mini Tours of Veganic Gardens or Farms
Give viewers a short tour of your veganic garden, allotment, farm, or growing space.
⏱ Maximum length: 1 minute - How-to Veganic Techniques
Share practical tips or demonstrations of veganic growing methods.
⏱ Maximum length: 5 minutes
📋 Competition Rules & Guidelines
1️⃣ Multiple entries are welcome. You may submit more than one video.
2️⃣ Individuals or groups can enter. Entries are welcome from individuals, schools, community groups, allotment societies, farms, and other organisations.
4️⃣ Permission to share. By submitting your video, you agree that the Vegan Organic Network may share it on our social media channels and online platforms, and also at events and conferences.
5️⃣ Filming format. Videos may be filmed vertically or horizontally (portrait or landscape).
6️⃣ File format. Please submit your video as an MP4 file.
7️⃣ Enquiries. For questions or assistance, please contact: media@veganorganic.net
📅 Deadline
All entries must be submitted by midnight on September 25th 2026.
🏆 Judging & Video Release
A panel of judges will review all entries and select the winners.
📢 Winners announced: November 2026
The winning videos will be released on the Vegan Organic Network’s YouTube channel and social media platforms and screened at the Veganic Summit in November 2026.
Videos from other participants will be shared gradually on YouTube and social media throughout December 2026 and during 2027.
🎁 Participation gift:
Everyone who submits a video will receive two digital copies of the magazine Growing Green International as a thank-you for taking part.
💰 Prizes for Best Video
🥇 1st Prize: £500
🥈 2nd Prize: £150
🥉 3rd Prize: £100
🏅 4th Prize: £75
🏅 Four runner up prizes of £50
🎥 Ready to take part?
Share your ideas, your garden, and your vision for a veganic future.
🌍 Enter and help inspire change! 🌱
Click here to Submit Your Entry
Eco-Fest Manchester 2026
Eco Fest 2026 – Powered by the Sun & Good Vibes!
Hulme Park Saturday 16th May 12 midday – 6pm
Free event in the park!
Get ready for a festival that celebrates community, sustainability, and creativity!
Eco Fest Manchester 2026 is a vibrant showcase of local talent, environmental groups, and eco-conscious living – all powered by renewable and positive energy!
Get involved and volunteer: events@veganorganic.net
Community gardening, growing micro greens, sprouting and willow weaving
Live Music on the Solar-Powered Stage – A fantastic line-up of local musicians will keep the good vibes flowing all day long!
Fun for All Ages – Walk the tightrope, spin a plate, juggle (all at once if you’re feeling brave!), and don’t forget to get your face painted first!
Try Something New – Join a yoga or tai chi session or Bollywood bangra dancing.
Vegan Food Heaven – Feast on an incredible selection of vegan food, drinks, cakes, and treats from top local caterers.
Why Vegan? – This all-vegan event is a chance to explore why plant-based living is so important—not just for personal health but for the health of our planet. Learn how small changes can make a big impact!
Get Crafty – Try your hand at willow basket-making and other creative workshops (more details to come!).
Zapparelli Circus Workshop: Tightrope walking, unicycling, plate spinning, stilts, juggling, diablo.
Skating with Joy – all day on Royce Rd which will be closed to traffic.
Free Face Painting from 1pm
Get Inspired! – Explore stalls from community groups and environmental charities, packed with info on how we can all make a difference for the planet.
Eco Fest Talks
12.30: Bee Innes from HealthyBe -The Healthy Vegan
How to Protect Your Energy, Gut Health & Nutrients on a Plant-Based Diet Going vegan doesn’t automatically guarantee good health and many people unknowingly end up low in energy, struggling with digestion, relying on ultra-processed foods, or missing key nutrients. In this practical and informative talk, naturopathic nutritionist Bee Innes from HealthyBe Naturopathy will explore the most common mistakes people make on a vegan diet and how to avoid them. You’ll learn simple ways to support energy, gut health, protein intake, iron absorption, omega-3 balance and overall wellbeing while eating plant-based. Whether you’re newly vegan, vegan-curious, or have been plant-based for years, you’ll leave with realistic, evidence-informed tips you can start using straight away.
13.10: Socialist Vegans Steven Andrew and Claire Miller will talk about the need to bring together the struggles for animal and human liberation so that the interests of all sentient beings and the planet can come before capitalist profit. Socialists for Animal Liberation was set up with three goals in mind: Firstly, to abolish all forms of animal abuse, whether that be vivisection, the meat and dairy industry, bloodsports or elsewhere. Secondly, to bring animal liberationist perspectives to left movements, and third, to promote anticapitalist arguments to the various animal rights groups. Instagram: socialists4animalliberation Facebook: Socialists 4 Animal Liberation
X: @socialistvegans
14.00: Juliette Bryant – Medicinal mushrooms and food sovereignty, an inspiring journey into the world of superfoods and medicinal mushrooms. Discover how these powerful allies from nature can help you boost immunity, balance stress, enhance brain function, and support long-term wellbeing. From Reishi to Lion’s Mane, from spirulina to cacao –Juliette shares practical tips, ancient wisdom, and modern research to help you thrive in harmony with the Earth. Perfect for anyone seeking more energy, clarity, and natural ways to support their health in today’s world, with Juliette Bryant – Nutritionist, Author & Earth Wisdom Keeper. https://www.juliettebryant.com/
15.05: Abundance Manchester fruit-picking and growing food project Dan Graham – This talk explores the work of the Abundance Manchester fruit-picking and growing projects and its vision for transforming the food system. Through harvesting and sharing locally grown fruit that would otherwise go to waste, and encouraging communities to grow food locally. Vegan Organic Network
15.30: Nature through the kitchen door By Carol Ann Costello, food psychologist and aspiring herbalist What if reconnecting with nature could begin in the kitchen? This talk explores how food, herbs, and seasonal living can deepen our relationship with the natural world. Through practical ideas, storytelling and reflections on ecology and wellbeing, we will explore how small daily choices can nourish both people and planet.
16.00: Manifestation, Success & The Best Day Ever – Giles Bryant – What can I do to create a life of purpose, joy and abundance? In this practical talk, based on his new book, Giles Bryant shares 30 years of research to help you achieve the life of your dreams.
17.00: Greater Manchester Citizens’ Assembly – Johno Johnson – Accountable to the People – As politics becomes increasingly polarised, decision-making in Greater Manchester is becoming more centralised around the Combined Authority and elected mayor. This talk makes the case for a permanent Greater Manchester Citizens’ Assembly to give ordinary residents a meaningful voice in shaping regional priorities, local services, and the future of their communities.
Eco Fest Bands and performers
12.00: Bloodshot Moon
12.30: Level Up 1st performance at skate area on Royce Road which will be closed
12.40: The Perpetual Choirs Giles & Juliette Bryant will share songs of the Earth, community and healing. Expect joyful harmonies and uplifting songs. Giles created the VON award-winning song, Wildlife Emergency.
13.10: Kyso Project Power House main stage
13.50: Azariah main stage
14.00: Atomic Bicycle Theory – main stage
14.40: Juggling show skate area on Royce Road which will be closed
15.00: One minute silence for peace and nature
15.01: Snake Oil Remedies–https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=_OLJVrX9jF4&fbclid=IwY2xjawRpSoBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe6fH2M3oLwLeebBHcMNhrs37sFz46c2AjHzACe7gFZpOvu8Yxf7FzNZXBf7Q_aem_W_IMLS6OBwWSngA3OxCkqw
15.30: Sasha Bollywood Bangra Dancing performance and workshop
15.40: Dee-Colo– main stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z519p3p265w&list=RDz519p3p265w&start_radio=1
16.10: Jet Black dance troupe 1st performance at skate area on Royce Road which will be closed
16.15: Zola Steelpan mins main stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQom-3CjWWE
16.45: Jet Black dance troupe 2nd performance at main stage area
17.00: Niamos Band Calypso George and friends will be playing : African, Caribbean, and Mento music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyAriRi9n6E
17.30 ; Parallex View
Workshops:
12.00-: Get Crafty Art with Z-arts
12.30am-15.30 Sprouting Workshop with the Vegan Organic Network- Discover the power of sprouting! Sprouts are packed with nutrients and can be easily grown at home using just a jar and a windowsill.
13.00-16.00: Circus skills workshop
13.00: Yoga with the Resonance Centre
14.00 Tai chi with Martyn Lewis
14.00-16.00 Willow Weaving: Cherry Chung is a Manchester based basket maker and willow artist. She first learned how to make baskets in 1996, and mainly uses native materials such as willow, bark and rushes to make basketry, living installations and sculpture.
15.30: Bangra Bollywood Dancing workshop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYUXCnsXbxs
Get involved and volunteer
Email: events@veganorganic.net
Book a stall
Many thanks to supporting groups and organisations.
Click on their logos to find out more.
Working together for a Green, Clean, Cruelty Free World!
Veganic Cannabis – Interview with Anuar Peche
A Champion of Vegan Organic in Latin America
Wednesday 4th March
1pm GMT, 10am in Argentina, 8am EST
Click Here To Watch on YouTube
Live Q & A
Anuar is an investigative journalist and soil microbiologist with 19 years of cannabis cultivation experience. He told us that he first became inspired to join the veganic movement when he found out about VON in 2014. Since then he has been on a mission to pioneer veganic farming in Argentina, focusing on cannabis to leverage its unique legal status and high nutritional value. His achievements in promoting vegan organic methods both in Argentina and other parts of Latin America have been staggering. Anuar has:
- Taught veganic farming at more than 10 universities and in more than 70 cities. (He uses data-driven arguments (e.g., 30–40% cost reduction, 4.1% yield increase) to convince farmers, as he believes that emotional appeals are ineffective.)
- Trained more than 200 home growers and agronomists.
- Due to continuous encouragement from CVC three fertilizer brands opted for “Vegan Friendly” or “Suitable for vegan crops” labels.
- Been invited to speak at regional expos in Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil.
- Written a book with a 300 page text on veganic farming which is nearly complete. The book contains 3 manuals: bio-inputs, plant-based recipes, and medicinal infusions.
- Conducted research into Flavonoids, plant intelligence, and allelopathy (plant to plant interactions).
However, he is not content with this and has several other projects in the pipeline. One of his goals is to establish a formal veganic certification standard in Argentina. He believes that securing institutional support from the Vegan Organic Network (VON) will add credibility when lobbying Argentine certifiers. We agreed that VON will provide institutional backing and feature CvC on our website. We also agreed that Anuar will contribute articles and a pre-recorded, subtitled video interview for VON’s audience.
Anuar founded the organisation Circular Vegan Culture (CVC) www.cultivovegano.com five years ago. It offers a range of services, all under the CVC heading:
- Cultivo Vegano Cannabis – plant breeding, veganic production of cannabis plants and sale of varieties registered in Argentina.
- Cultivo Vegano Consultora – Consultancy for businesses, research projects, associations and agricultural co-operatives looking to enter into the cannabis industry and production of healthy foods. Registration of nurseries, seeds, products and patents.
- Cultivo Vegano Cursos – Advice and courses on regenerative and veganic agriculture.
- Control Vegano de Calidad – Investigation, soil analysis, analysis of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, vegan certification.
- Comunidad Verde Creativa – Marketing for businesses wishing to innovate in the sector. Events and sustainable tourist routes. Audiovisual presentations, press and product launches.
The Argentine Context
Anuar believes that there is plenty of potential for growth in veganism in his country. We were surprised to learn that in a country famous for its beef, a Union Vegana Argentina (UVA) survey suggests 12% of the population is vegan. Unlike in the UK, Argentina also has a progressive legal framework in terms of cannabis legislation. Production for medicinal purposes was legalised in 2017 and there are now more than 300,000 registered patients. Industrial cannabis for textiles and hemp for food were approved in 2021. Anuar believes that the next obstacle to overcome is the certification gap. As yet, no official veganic certification exists for agriculture. He is, therefore, developing standards and negotiating with three major certifiers.
Anuar is also developing a seed bank to preserve indigenous varieties and supply veganically grown seeds to native communities.
Watch live and and ask questions or click here to watch later.
Contact Anuar
Email: cultivoveganocannabis@gmail.com
Calling all vegan organic growers and plant-based composters!
Soil Ecology Lab has just launched the UK’s first Compost Championships — a nationwide competition bringing together compost makers from across the UK to discover just how good compost can be. If you’re creating compost without animal inputs and championing soil health through plants, this is your chance to show what plant-based organic compost can really do.
We know that “best compost” can be a contentious idea. That’s why judging is rooted firmly in science, not opinion. Entries are assessed through microscope analysis of microbial abundance and diversity, alongside the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, which indicates how accessible nutrients are for plants. These metrics allow plant-based compost to stand on its own merits — and often shine. Results will be published in a public ranking table, with quarterly winners celebrated every three months and an overall champion crowned next December. Thanks to our fantastic compost-focused sponsors, there are prizes for winners and runners-up.
At its heart, though, this competition is about celebrating everyone who composts. All entrants gain access to weekly community Zoom calls hosted by Soil Ecology Lab — a welcoming space to ask questions, share experiences, or simply listen in as fellow compost enthusiasts exchange ideas and insights.
Every participant also receives 20% off Soil Ecology Lab training, including:
-
Hot composting for biologically rich compost (Berkeley method)
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Compost extracts and microbial propagation via compost teas
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Compost and liquid analysis using microscopy (1-day and 4-day courses)
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A 3-day Precision Organic Nutrition course
The greatest reward is the deeper understanding you’ll gain of the compost you’ve carefully created. Knowing the biology and nutrient dynamics of what you’re adding to your soil — or inoculating your seeds with — is essential for resilient soils and thriving plants. Plant-based compost has an important role to play in regenerative, ethical growing systems, and this competition offers a platform to demonstrate that.
So come and join the fun, learning, and friendly competition by entering the UK’s First Compost Championships. All compost types are welcome — and plant-based compost is strongly encouraged!
Want to enter but need support?
The Vegan Organic Network has funding available to support two entries from VON members.
For more information, email: info@veganorganic.net
Enter competition
Veganic Gardeners Question Time – Wednesday 28th January 2026
Ever wanted to know how to grow organically using only plant-based fertilisers?
Our monthly show is here to help!
Send your questions to: events@veganorganic.net
Wednesday 28th January 2026 7pm-7.45pm UK
Click here to watch for free on YouTube
Giles Bryant: The founder of World Healing Project who have promoted wellbeing initiatives around the world for 20 years. Giles has helped plant many veganic gardens, orchards, forest gardens and medicinal herb gardens. He has been presenting Veganic Gardeners Time for several years and loves gardening, yoga and nature. Giles is a music producer, songwriter and author.
Piers Warren: Conservationist, film-maker, author and keen grower of organic fruit and vegetables. He is the founder of Wildeye – The International School of Wildlife Film-making. Author of several books, including How To Store Your Garden Produce and co-author of The Vegan Cook and Gardener.
Rhonda-T Warren: A devoted gardener with more than four decades of experience. She has cultivated a variety of crops, including vegetables, sprouts, and mushrooms, and produced garlic for retail markets. In 2016, she founded Terra Farm Sanctuary, a non-profit dedicated to providing a safe and permanent home for rescued farmed animals. As a mentor and advocate, Rhonda-T actively promotes veganism and veganic farming practices, striving to educate others on ethical agriculture and the importance of animal freedoms.
Terra is certified as a veganic farm
https://terrafarmsanctuary.org/
Maureen Robertson: Has over 25 years of experience working with herbs and sharing the Green knowledge. She co-founded the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in 1992 offering courses from introductory to professional training at BSc and MSc degree level. In 2012 she established the Herbal Apprenticeship at Drimlabarra Herb Farm, Isle of Arran, Scotland which she ran for 4 years before relocating to Portugal. Her work in Peru and Ecuador with shamans and teacher plants has deepened her healing and rejuvenation practices. https://www.theherbalpath.net/
Veganic Gardeners’ Question Time hopes to inspire and bring new ideas to foragers, growers and gardeners alike.
Now more than ever it is vital that we engage with how our food is grown.
A Vegan Organic Network production
Stay in touch
For any enquiries relating to membership (or changes of address if you’re a member) please contact the membership secretary at membership@veganorganic.net – see also our Join Us page for more info.
Otherwise please get in touch with the Vegan Organic Network for any queries you have about vegan organic growing, or for more info about how to get involved.