organic news

Feb 25, 2017

  • At a meeting with English Organic Forum on 31st January Farming Minister George Eustace MP confirmed that existing organic farmers and new farmers who want to convert to organic can apply for support under the Countryside Stewardship scheme for the next two years
     
  • The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) reported in January that ‘The H5N8 strain of the disease has been confirmed at two separate poultry farms in Lincolnshire, at a premises near Settle in North Yorkshire, and at a premises in Carmarthenshire, Wales, and restrictions are in place. The same strain has also been found in wild birds in England, Scotland and Wales. If you keep poultry – whether on a commercial scale or simply a small backyard flock – you are now required by law to house them (keep them under cover) or otherwise keep them separate from wild birds.’ Full government details and advice are available here.
  • The Organic Trade Board and Organic Denmark have secured a grant of EUR 10.4 million (£9 million) to promote organic products in the UK and Denmark between 2017-2019. The campaign is intended to boost retail sales, increase jobs in the sector and raise awareness about organic food. Here’s how The Guardian reported this on 15th January: https://goo.gl/rHcm4j
     
  • There’s a Forum 21 one-day conference to demonstrate the benefits of pasture fed food production. on Friday 21st March in Minehead. The speakers are practising farmers, land managers and conservationists. For full details and to book, go here.


  • There’s still time to apply for the 3rd Organic Farming Innovation Award; the deadline is 31st March. Every three years, at the Organic World Congress (OWC), IFOAM-Organics International, the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of the Republic of Korea, and the IFOAM Technology Innovation Platform (TIPI) award outstanding organic innovators with the Organic Farming Innovation Award (OFIA).
Episode 7 – Claudio Pozzi

Episode 7 – Claudio Pozzi

The guest of this episode is Claudio Pozzi from WWOOF Italia. Despite being the founder of WWOOF Italia, Claudio played a key role in the early development of the Federation of WWOOF Organisation. His long term involvement and his vision of the WWOOF movement are very...

WWOOF UK needs YOU! We’re recruiting Trustees

WWOOF UK needs YOU! We’re recruiting Trustees

Would you like to join an existing group of five dedicated individuals who are committed to overseeing the direction of WWOOF UK? Do you want to help more people experience first-hand the meaningful connection to self, land and others that immersion in a low impact...

25% off WWOOF UK membership until 2nd April

25% off WWOOF UK membership until 2nd April

Use discount code DAFFODILS when you sign up before the 2nd April for a 25% discount on any WWOOF UK membership. Don't be an April fool and miss out on this great discount! We have lots of hosts eagerly awaiting new enthusiastic WWOOFers for the season, and plenty of...

Follow up ‘Rat Control’ responses

Follow up ‘Rat Control’ responses

Thank you all for such a great array of responses to the #PennToPaper Rat Control article in the last newsletter. If you didn’t get around to reading it or want to refresh your memory, then here’s the link. Read on to explore the answers you all contributed, and don't...

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Lesley Gorski a WWOOFing legacy

Last year, we received the sombre news that long-standing WWOOFer Lesley Gorski had passed away. We were very saddened to hear this news as Lesley was well known by WWOOF staff, and had been one of the last remaining old-school members still using the...