Visiting Organic Farms:
Many farmers - realising that education is a key catalyst to growth in the sector
- welcome visitors by appointment, and there are also dedicated organic visitor
centres.
The HDRA, for instance, runs
several organic gardens, at Ryton in Warwickshire, Yalding in Kent, and Audley
End in Essex (see www.hdra.org.uk/gardens.htm).
Audley End is particularly interesting; it is undergoing major redevelopment,
which allows the interested visitor to follow its progress. Ryton, the HDRA headquarters,
houses 10 acres of display gardens where "all aspects of domestic horticulture
are on show, including composting, pest and disease control, fruit and vegetable
production..." and many others. Yalding, organic since 1995, charts the progress
of agriculture through the ages.
Outside Newbury in Berkshire is the Elm
Farm Research Centre, an educational charity based on a working organic farm.
It has an accessible 'farm trail' - a two mile walk around its grounds, for which
a guide can be arranged if large groups visit and it often holds farm open days.
Call them on 01488 658 298 if you'd like more information.
If you fancy something longer than a day out, The Soil Association offers ideas
for organic holidays in its books Special Places to Stay in Britain (£12.95),
and The Green Holiday Guide (£6) which can be ordered on 0117 914 2446.
Alternatively, www.organicholidays.co.uk
hosts a directory of organic places to stay in Britain, Europe and even further
afield - Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Peru!
For those who want to get even more involved, Willing
Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) lists organic farms around the world who
welcome volunteer workers. The idea is that you work six days a week in exchange
for bed and board, and use your day off to explore the region, while all the time
absorbing the culture and learning the language (where applicable).
Taking some time to see organic farming at close hand is without doubt a rewarding
and valuable experience for children and adults alike.
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