An idea that was put forward at an organic producer’s conference held at Cirencester Royal Agricultural College conference on 12th Dec last year has now become a reality. The Organic Growers Alliance (OGA) is a grower’s support group for practising producers, working in co-operation with the Soil Association, the Organic Research Centre - Elm Farm, HDRA, Organic Farmers and Growers and other organic organisations.

The aims of the OGA are to provide representation to the Soil Association, DEFRA, and the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS), organic certifiers, research organisations and regional support centres. It will also look to liaise with the horticultural supply trade and with organisations offering advice and vocational courses etc. Already the OGA has established a working party with the Soil Association to develop an organic grower’s apprenticeship scheme and lobbied for continued funding of organic variety trials. Member support will be a key feature of the Alliance with a biennial conference and a number of farm walks each year in different parts of the UK. These events will be technical and practical in nature, but with a strong social element. The first issue of The Organic Grower, a journal dedicated to covering all aspects of organic growing will be published in June. The OGA will also host a website as a means of grower communication.

Full membership will be open to all who are actively engaged in commercial organic growing; with associate members having an interest in the Alliance activities. For more details please contact:
Organic Growers Alliance, Bradshaw Lane Nursery, Pilling. Preston PR3 6AX oga@gwnhome.demon.co.uk
www.newoga.org.uk

OGA events - 2007