The NFU once again will be a main sponsor to the the National Organic Combinable Crops event 2015.
As usual delegates will be taken on the NOCC guided farm walk where they will be able to see and discuss key aspects of organic farming. They will examine the extensive crop trials, including cereals, legumes and novel crops such as the latest darling of the food world, quinoa. They will also be able to look in detail at some of the most up-to-date research in organic seed breeding with scientists from the Organic Research Centre.
Once again BBC Farming Today presenter Charlotte Smith will host the day. We will also include Q&A sessions in which delegates will discuss with panellists the market and opportunities for the future of the organic sector.
Now in its eighth year, NOCC has become a popular fixture in the organic farming calendar with more than 200 producers, buyers, millers, seed companies and researchers from across the sector attending.
This year’s event will be hosted by NFU member, John Pawsey, who manages 1500 organic acres at Shimpling Park Farm and further organic acreage at other sites, all under OF&G organic licence.
For many years John’s operation was stockless but he has recently introduced livestock back onto the family farm for the first time since the 1960s. His flock of New Zealand Romney sheep are taking part in a Duchy Organic Future Farming research project looking at bringing livestock onto arable farms and the effects of grazing on blackgrass in arable rotations.
Advance booking is essential to obtain a ticket and a place at the now-famous sit-down lunch including organic meat provided by Dalehead/BQP courtesy of Waitrose.
Full details and delegate booking forms are available to download here
Alternatively you can call the OF&G office on 01939 291800 or email YW5nZWxhLm5vcm1hbkBvcmdhbmljZmFybWVycy5vcmcudWs= for a booking form.
If you have any comments or just want to know more about the event, organic farming and food production, or certification with OF&G please contact Steven Jacobs at the OF&G office or email YXJhYmxlQG9yZ2FuaWNmYXJtZXJzLm9yZy51aw==
Report and links to presentations from the 2014 event:
http://www.organicfarmers.org.uk/blog/events/lots-of-ground-covered-at-top-arable-event/