There aren’t many events where a discussion about government policy shares the same tent with mushroom growing and a seed swap. But at the Organic Growers Gathering, all three felt quite at home!
WWOOF UK joined the gathering at Sandy Lane Farm near Oxford over the weekend. It was a small event with a focus on organic farms and market gardens, bringing together experienced growers and people just finding their feet.
There was plenty for the curious grower to get stuck into. The programme included everything from soil testing to seed swaps. The common thread was how to make the most of your particular situation, whether you’re based in the Highlands of Scotland or the South Downs of England.
The willingness to share ran through the more difficult conversation too. What we appreciated was hearing growers talk about their own farms, including decisions they were still working out. After all, it’s a process we are all just trying to figure out along the way.
We heard one grower considering scaling down after a successful season because a few days of rain had made a crucial difference. What if that rain hadn’t come? Doing the same next year could mean risking their own livelihood and those of the people they employ. It was a sobering contribution to a discussion about expanding a market garden.
Questions familiar to our community popped up a few times during the day. Thoughts around growing older, long working weeks, profitability and who takes over when you want to step back. There were also conversations around how much businesses might depend on volunteers or other sources of income to keep going. These are important questions for us all to think about when we are encouraging more people to live and learn from the land.
It was also great to hear about the work happening on the bigger picture, with organisations such as the UK Fruit and Vegetable Coalition working with DEFRA on a Horticulture Sector Growth Plan for the next 25 years, which is being created to adapt to the different governments that may come and go over this time. Growers were invited to contribute feedback during these discussions.
The theme of access to land also came up in several talks over the weekend. Listening to Landmatch England and the Ecological Land Co-operative discuss the historic LSA (Land Settlement Association) model, which ended back in the 80s. The discussion explored how these different approaches could help someone establish a livelihood, with housing, planning and all the costs of getting started all part of the conversation.
For us at WWOOF UK, being there gave us time to listen to the pressures hosts may be managing alongside welcoming people onto their farms and green spaces. Hosting is a commitment in itself. Teaching someone, answering questions and helping them settle in all take time.
We also came away wanting WWOOF to contribute more to discussions about people’s first experiences of growing. Before looking for land or committing to training, someone may need the opportunity to try it. A stay with a host can give them space to ask basic questions and discover what interests them before deciding whether they want to take it further.
With all this, there was still time to enjoy being together. Shared meals, children’s activities and evening music were all part of the weekend. Sunday tours explored Sandy Lane’s fields, market garden and veg box operation. After a busy growing season, there’s a lot to be said for sitting down with people who understand how your year has been.
We want to thank the organisers, Sandy Lane Farm and everyone who shared their knowledge so openly. We’d love to return with more WWOOF experiences to add to the conversation.
Find out more about the Organic Growers Gathering.
Interested in welcoming WWOOFers to your farm, garden or smallholding? Get in touch with WWOOF UK to find out about hosting.
