European sustainable development rural actor database


Organic Centre for Wales

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Generals Informations
Creation date: 30/11/1999
Structure type:
- NGO
- Independant service provider

Intervention type: Regional

Employement number: 9

Main objective:

To provide support to the whole of the organic community in Wales



Coordinate
Country:
Royaume Uni
Adress:

Organic Centre Wales Institute of Rural Sciences,University of Wales Aberystwyth,Ceredigion,SY23 3AL Wales, UNITED KINGDOM

Phone:
00 44 (0)19 70 62 22 48
Fax:
00 44 (0)19 70 62 22 38
Contact:
organic_ANTI_SPAM_@aber.ac.uk
Web:
http://www.organic.aber.ac.uk/

Presentation

Organic Centre Wales (OCW) was established in 2000 as a focal point for the dissemination of information on organic food and farming to producers and other interested parties in Wales. Based at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, OCW is run by a partnership of four organizations actively involved in organic farming research and knowledge transfer in Wales:

-ADAS,

-Elm Farm Research Centre (EFRC),

-the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER), andt

-he Institute of Rural Sciences at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (IRS).

OCW core staff is responsible for the coordination of the different areas of activity, with the partners responsible for much of the delivery of services to producers and others. The funding for OCW comes from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and Farming Connect (with additional support from the European Union EAGGF Objective 1 funds) to carry out the co-ordination functions, with additional funding for delivery through a separate WAG Organic Conversion Information Service contract and the Farming Connect Organic Development Programme.

Themes activities

Public education

Public procurement

Policy and strategy development

Activities
  • Agriculture, environment and territory
  • Environmental education and citizenship

      • Agriculture, environment and territory
      Covered topics:
      Support farmers’ diversification
      Actions examples:

      Providing information for farmers: information on conversion : 'Organic Farming' and 'Thinking of going organic' booklets. publication of books, technical guides, booklets and reports factsheets on topics such as training opportunities, suppliers of seeds and feeds, CAP reform and financial management information sheets on technical topics Organic Centre Wales organize a range of events to provide opportunities for farmers, including one-day training courses, one-stop shops for farmers considering conversion, and walks on demonstration farms Farming Connect project: Farming Connect is a service aimed at helping farming families make the most of their agricultural business. Farming Connect offers support, advice and training to help farmers improve farm business performance, create opportunities for diversification and increase their long-term sustainability Rafael (Renaissance of Atlantic Food Authenticity and Economic Links): the RAFAEL project is working to promote the growth of the authentic food system sector and the benefits it delivers www.rafael-eu.com

      Europeans partnerships:

      Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust, Northern IrelandDevon County Council, EnglandSoil Association, EnglandConseil Général des Côtes D' Armor, FranceAPPETIT Association, FranceZamora County Council, SpainHortanosa Association, SpainAgencia de Desenvolvimento Regionalde Tras-Os-Montes e Alto Douro, PortugalADRAL, PortugalPedro Roma, PortugalCAAE Associatión, Portugal

      Environmental education and citizenship
      Covered topics:
      Education to environment and sustainable development for youngsters
      Raising public opinion’s awareness
      Actions examples:

      Where to stay & Where to eat: a guide to organic farms, authentic food and quality accommodation in WalesOrganic Centre Wales works with organic farms and schools to promote understanding of food and farming amongst school students. This takes place through visits to farms, growing food in the school grounds, designing healthy menus and so onGrowing the Future: network of projects linking Welsh initiatives for organic and local food in school meals and education. The network has held two conferences, bringing together farmers, food companies, teachers, Healthy Schools coordinators, local authority procurement and catering staff, community groups and others to develop an agenda for food in schoolsOrganic Centre Wales also works with FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) to help pupils learn about the real business of farming and maintaining the countryside