Organic Studies Centre in Cornwall
A major development in organic farming in the south-west occurred during July 2001 with the establishment of the Organic Studies Centre at Duchy College, Rosewarne, Camborne, Cornwall .

This initiative builds on the success of the original organic farming programme at the Duchy College. The project is part-funded by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and DEFRA as part of the Objective 1 support to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Working closely with the farming community of Cornwall and other industry partners, the objectives of the Centre are to:

The Centre is now a well established unit drawing funds from a number of external sources and working across all sector of organic production both regionally and nationally.

An important role of the Organic Studies Centre is to promote farmer innovation and to encourage and facilitate the participation of farmers in on-farm research activities. The OSC receives significant support from the local farming community, many of whom have shown a willingness to participate in the various projects and activities. Although there is a regional focus to the project, the research team also actively collaborates with others involved in national and international organic research programmes.

The Agri-environmental Management for Organic and Low Input Agriculture project is also based at the Organic Studies Centre at Rosewarne. The aim of this ESF-funded (European Social Fund) project is to raise the academic profile and capacity of the OSC with regards to R&D activities associated with agri-environment management.

Our facilities
The Organic Studies Centre building at Duchy College, Rosewarne provides office space and a resource centre housing a wide range of literature on all aspects of organic production.

Coswinsawsin Farm, the college’s stockless demonstration farm, achieved full organic status in 2001 and provides an important resource for the Centre. During the two years of conversion to organic production the farm hosted more than 400 visitors attending many demonstration and educational events. Since that time, the farm has been used for a range of research purposes, including variety testing, pest control and composting trials and bio-diversity surveys. These activities are supported by a wide range of commercial sponsors and funding agencies. The farm is managed commercially, growing a range of organic crops including brassicas, cereals, potatoes, beans and a number of fertility building crops. There is a fully equipped resource centre suited to hosting farmer and visitor events.

Within the 47ha farm site at Rosewarne is a small area of approximately 4 acres dedicated to smaller scale organic horticultural production. As well as fields growing organic vegetables and fertility building crops, there is a 0.5 acre organic fruit enterprise growing a range of fruits. The Rosewarne site also has a host of protected cropping structures, including polytunnels and state-of-the-art greenhouses.

The Rosewarne Nurseries is a self-sufficient, commercially run concern growing a vast range of plants for a large local market and has many links to local industries. More recently, the nursery has started growing organic vegetable transplants as a commercial venture.

The Organic Studies Centre plays an important role in the Education and Training programme offered by the college, with the OSC staff contributing to a range of courses. Courses at the college are modular. Specialist modules can be attended as stand-alone courses and on a part-time basis. The most recent introductions to the suite of higher education courses at Rosewarne is a foundation degree in organic horticulture and courses in small-holder production. At the Stoke Climsland campus, full and part-time higher education courses in agriculture have a strong organic element.

The Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing Department at Rosewarne runs a range of animal-based courses, from Level 1 to Foundation Degrees in Animal Science and Veterinary Nursing. The Animal Unit, situated at Feadon Farm, Portreath, houses a variety of animal species, including domestics, exotics and farm animals, enabling the students to gain hands-on experience of husbandry, handling and healthcare. Staff are well-qualified and all have worked within the animal and/or Veterinary industry. Future developments include a new Veterinary Nursing building, with simulation Veterinary Practice, due for completion by Easter 2007 and a brand new animal centre at Rosewarne, for September 2008.

Duchy College’s Rural Business School (RBS) combines education, training, business support and applied research for rural industries. The RBS offers educational and developmental programmes ranging from one-day vocational workshops to foundation degrees in Agriculture, Rural Tourism, and Agri-Food. A commitment to research and industry is underpinned with continuous investment, and we are host to a number of Objective One and Defra funded projects such as the Vocational Training Scheme (VTS).

Through the VTS programme, training events and group extension activities are organised with the aim of developing expertise and skills in technical and business related activities relevant to land based businesses. The VTS programme employs a number of training co-ordinators, including a specialist organic farming training co-ordinator, whose task it is to ensure that the training needs of the farming community are met.