National Organic Cereals

Earlier this week I joined a barn full of agricultural folk a few miles outside of Milton Keynes at the National Organic Cereals (NOC) event. Run by Organic Farmers & Growers, this annual get together has proven to be a good place to be for several reasons.

But first, why organic?
In my experience, both organic and conventional farms can be excellent homes for nature. They’re just very different to each other.

Organic farming does have many advantages when it comes to being wildlife-friendly. No insecticides means more food for chicks in crops. Cropping is often more diverse, and organic farms may be more likely to rotate arable crops with grass. It does have challenges as well though. Weed control is mechanical, which can damage ground-nesting birds’ nests. And perhaps unexpectedly, not being able to use herbicides can make managing some arable-based habitats quite challenging.

So why NOC?

• It’s big. The event consistently brings in over a hundred people from across the country each year. So if you want to meet a lot of farmers in one day, it’s a good start.
• It’s practical. The event is hosted by a different organic farmer each year, and for many participants the organised farm walk is a highlight of the day. There are usually trials of different crop varieties, or treatments that have been planned months in advance. There’s also a good display of highly-polished specialist equipment to talk about too. This week a particular highlight of the farm tour was sniffing different soil clods as part of a session looking at soil science and management – it doesn't get much more practical than that!
• It’s interesting. OF&G organise a series of presentations from top professionals at each event. There’s inevitably new research to learn about, or new perspectives to share and ponder. Soils are very important to organic farmers, and this week there were several experts sharing research on methods of improving soils for crops and water control, and on novel ways of managing pasture as an indirect way of improving soils.
• It’s exciting. NOC seems to attract a higher percentage of entrepreneurial farmers than I think is typical across the sector. They’re interested in new things, and have tried new things. They want to engage with others and are hungry for ideas and constructive debate. These aren't qualities that are unique to the organic sector, of course, but they do seem to occur more at NOC than at most other large agricultural gatherings.

(I should add, NOC also do excellent food, and have the nicest portaloos you’ll ever be grateful for.)

So what was I doing there?

My colleague and I were one of several organisations providing trade stands as part of the event. Over cups of coffee there were masses of people to talk with. The newest resource we were sharing was the farm wildlife package – a simple, 8 point plan of the key features that protect wildlife and natural resources on arable farms.

What struck me again about the event was that the cutting edge of organic farming bore little resemblance to the rather unsophisticated, yester-year image that is often associated with it. This was a conference spotlighting the very latest market movements, disease resistant crop varieties and efficient ways of improving the soil that underpins crop growth. This was a gathering of thoughtful, focused farmers.

I’m not saying conventional farmers are not thoughtful. But I do wonder – if organic and conventional farmers shared their experiences amongst each other more, what might they learn from each other?

Huge thanks to OF&G for giving us the opportunity to come to NOC again this year, and to the lovely Turner family for generously opening up their farm for everyone to poke around. To find out more about this year’s National Organic Cereals event, watch these webpages for updates and/or search Twitter for #NOC14.