The Farm
Coswinsawsin is a 61 acre stockless organic farm. The farm has been fully converted to organic production since 2001.
Although independent from the Organic Studies Centre, and run as a fully commercial business, the farm provides an important resource for the OSC, as a location for trials, demonstration, training and school visits.

The farm is managed by Paul Harris, the Rosewarne Commercial Farms Manager at Duchy College, Rosewarne.

Location
Click here for directions to the farm

History
Coswinsawsin Farm was farmed by Mr Denys Lawrey from 1962 until his retirement in 1996. His farming enterprises included a herd of 20-30 Friesian dairy cows, beef followers and 6 breeding sows. Cereals, kale and flatpol cabbage was grown for feed on all but three of the fields remaining in permanent pasture.

The Duchy College took over the tenancy of this Cornwall County Council owned farm upon Mr Lawrey’s retirement in October 1996. At this point the land was ploughed and for the succeeding two years used for non-organic winter cauliflower, early crisping potatoes, cereals and daffodil production.

Although conversion to organic farming had offered new opportunities for farmers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the remoteness of the region meant that access to information about organic production was difficult to get. To address this shortfall and to inform the farming industry of the challenges of conversion
to organic production, Duchy College entered Coswinsawsin Farm into conversion and established this Organic Demonstration Farm.

Current Cropping
2004:
Cauliflower, Spring greens, Potatoes, Winter wheat, Spring wheat, Sugar beet, Grass/clover, Lupins, Vetch

Data describing the physical and financial performance of the farm are currently available from the farm manager. In the near future, more detailed information on the management and performance of the farm will be posted on this website.

The Resource Centre

During the period of conversion to organic production, one of the old buildings at Coswinsawsin was also converted to provide a resource centre.

This comprises a meeting room which is equipped with a small kitchen, toilet facilities, classroon equipment and wheelchair access. This facility enables the Organic Studies Centre to accommodate a wide range of visitors and events.

Research

As well as being a commercial and demonstration farm, Coswinsawsin also provides the venue for many of the controlled field trials conducted by the Organic Studies Centre. For example, recently there have been trials comparing a range of novel legume crops as well as variety testing and spacing trials of both organic cauliflower and potato crops. Full details of the research at Coswinsawsin, along with our other research studies, can be found on our projects page.

The Farm Trail

There is a farm trail, starting and finishing at the Resource Centre, which allows visitors the opportunity not only to view the farming activities but also to experience the rich biodiversity of the farm. Thanks to generous support from South West Tourism , there are informative notice boards strategically placed throughout the trail, giving information on both the commercial farm and the surrounding environment.

Conservation and the Environment

Organic farming places strong emphasis on conversation of the environment. At Coswinsawsin we have not only put in place measures to enhance the biodiversity of the farm, but we have also been studying the changes to plant and animal environment on the farm since conversion to organic production. Visit the Projects page for further information.

School Visitors

The farm has hosted many parties of school children. As well as enabling children to visit a working farm, this also offers an opportunity for them to develop a greater understanding of the link between what we grow and what we eat – from farm to fork.

Elm Farm Demonstration Network Farm Click here to download the Elm Farm Profile PDF.

The farm is the most westerly of the Elm Farm Demonstration Network

Soil Association Organic Farms Network

The farm is part of the Soil Association Organic Farms Network. Click here to see a copy of the Coswinsawsin leaflet.

Coswinsawsin Farm