News

  • See events page for details of up and coming and recent OSC training events.

  • Elizabeth Band joined the Organic Studies Centre during January 2010 as a graduate trainee. She will be assisting on the legume trial work as well as putting on events and helping with research. Elizabeth trained at the University of Hawai, completing a Bsc in agro-ecology in May 2009.

  • The Soil Association have published their detailed review on Soil Carbon and Organic Farming concluding that widescale adoption of organic practices would substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The review showed that organic farming practices produce 28% high soil carbon than non-organic farming in Northern Europe. Full report available at http://www.soilassociation.org/Whyorganic/Climatefriendlyfoodandfarming/tabid/215/Default.aspx

  • The Defra-funded Legume LINK project is now well under way and in its second year. It was topped in September 2009 in order to control weeds. At the end of March the first monitoring session of 2010 took place, to assess the ground cover and survival rate of each species. See projects page for more information.

  • A successful open day was held at Rosewarne in August 2009, in collaboration with Garden Organic and included a chance to view the LegumeLINK trial site. More than 50 attended.

  • We have now completed our comprehensive Defra-funded website of animal health and welfare information and advice for organic farmers. Visit www.organicvet.co.uk.

  • Organic farming specialist Lois Phillips has joined the team at the Organic Studies Centre as Training Co-ordinator responsible for the VTS funded organic farming training programme throughout the south west region. Contact Lois at lois.philipps@duchy.ac.uk.

 

  • The European AniPlan project is now in its second year. Along with the other UK partner, The University of Wales, funding has been increased in order to enable more on-farm work See our Projects page for more information.

 

  • Organic and non-organic vegetables produced at the Duchy college's Rosewarne site are being sold direct to staff and students as well as through the various college catering facilities across Cornwall College campuses. Access to local, fresh produce at competitive prices is proving to be a real hit.