Organic movement gathers momentum
Devon has the largest area of organically-managed land in England, with 32,171 hectares – and it’s still growing. Overall, the South West has almost 40 per cent of the total organic land area in England, some 6.3 per cent of all agricultural land, twice the figure for England as a whole. Of the total organic area, nearly 22,000 hectares is still in-conversion, an increase of 142 per cent since January 2005, but still not enough to meet the growing demand for organic produce. Traci Lewis, manager of Organic South West, says there is nothing to stop others taking the plunge.
THE South West organic sector is going from strength to strength, with organic conversion still on the increase, due to healthy market prices and the Organic Entry Level scheme still open for business.
Interest in locally-produced organic food is still growing, with demand now outstripping supply for most products. So organic conversion offers an excellent opportunity for many South West producers, particularly those who currently run extensive and mixed systems.
Organic farmers John and Lizzie Ridout last year moved to a Duchy farm near Liskeard from one in North Dorset. Now with 260 acres on a 20-year tenancy, they have been able to diversify. Mr Ridout explained: "Our main enterprise is organic eggs for Waitrose Supermarkets, and we have 4,000 layers, naturally free range but sheltered in solar and wind-powered houses, which was an excellent investment, as we are now self-sufficient energywise."
The Ridouts also have 60 pedigree South Devon suckler cows and ten Oxford sandy and black sows for pork production.
"We wouldn’t go back to conventional farming now," said Mr Ridout. "Organic is definitely the way forward and, like all farming, added value, which in our case is being organic, helps when it comes to selling products."
Growing market demand during the past year has resulted in significant imports of many food products, much of which could be produced in the South West, in particular beef, vegetables, fruit and grains. Of these products it is the horticultural crops and grains (particularly livestock feed grain and protein), which stand out as being major opportunities for growth in the future.
The demand for organic horticultural crops exceeds supply across a number of local and national markets. Rivieria Produce Ltd report continuing demand from the multiple retailers for field-scale vegetables, while Buttervilla are currently looking for more small growers to help supply restaurants with specialist and high-value crops. Riverford Organics are also keen to talk to other growers to supply their rapidly-expanding vegetable box network.
There are opportunities for arable farmers as market demand and financial returns from organic arable crops continue to grow. In response to this OSW is running an event on March 20 at the Cothelstone Estate in Somerset, aimed at organic arable producers currently considering conversion.
Going organic is not all about money, as the Colwill family at New House Farm, Launceston will tell you. "I only run a small farm of 150 acres with 30 dairy cattle and 80 ewes – but since becoming organic in 2001, we’ve noticed a significant difference in both the land and the health of our stock," said Steve Colwill. "It’s taken a good five years to lick it into shape and for me to understand how organic farming works, but the proof is there before my eyes. Our grass production is up, my crop rotations mean less disease, so I’m not forking out for expensive chemicals, and the sheeps’ fertility has never been better. I can’t explain it scientifically, but the benefits are far greater than just money. I feel like we have the natural balance back."
The Colwills are also pleased to see that more shops in Launceston are selling organic and local produce, including Philip Warren who sells the Colwills’ lamb, and Leo’s Supermarket, who now stock organic milk thanks to customer demand.
"It’s not just a lifestyle choice any more," concluded Jo Symons of the award-winning Cornish farm shop On the Table. "Our customers shop here because they appreciate good, local food and being organic is another plus."
OSW, a regional arm of the Soil Association, supports producers interested in finding out more about organic conversion, with technical advice and farm visits available. OSW will be running a Thinking of Going Organic? conversion seminar at Lanhydrock, near Bodmin, on March 15, with a series of free conversion workshops planned around Cornwall throughout April. More details on 01208 7988.
