The Organic Research Centre (ORC) is a registered charity formally known as the Progressive Farming Trust Ltd.
The organisation is based on Elm Farm, a 94 hectare (240 acre), fully converted farm and on a second site at Wakelyns Agroforestry in Suffolk, and works through a participatory network of established organic farms and other businesses, whose business is to develop and support sustainable land-use, agriculture and food systems, primarily within local economies, which build on organic/agro-ecological principles to ensure the health and well-being of soil, plant, animal, people and our environment.
The Organic Research Centre was established in 1980 as a “Centre of Excellence” to address the major issues raised by a resource hungry global economy based on an intensive agricultural system.
The Centre is the UK’s leading independent research, development and advisory institution for organic agriculture, having played a pivotal role in the development of organic research, policy and standards since 1980.
We disseminate information through advisory services, training and courses, website, articles and policy papers, scientific papers and publications and the production of a regular journal – the Bulletin.
The ORC Bulletin is produced in two forms:
- a printed version 4 times a year, distributed to our subscribers, supporters and co-operating organisations. The printed Bulletin contains reports on our research and other activities, as well as information on research conducted elsewhere and perspectives on policy, organic standards and other issues.
- an electronic (e) Bulletin which is circulated monthly, free of charge, and provides brief updates on news and events, with links to further information on our website.
The downloadable ORC Bulletins and our E-Bulletin service are free of charge. However, we depend on voluntary donations to cover the costs of compiling and distributing them. If you value what we do, please subscribe to the printed ORC Bulletin.
Here is a link to the main information page about the bulletin on on the ORC’s own website – http://www.organicresearchcentre.com/?go=Information%20and%20publications&page=ORC%20Bulletin
