The annual joint open day between NIAB and HDRA, the national charity for organic growing, will be held on Tuesday, November 29.

This event at HDRA’s headquarters, Ryton Organic Gardens, Warwickshire, will focus upon the latest developments and opportunities in the organic vegetable market, the socio-economic benefits of organic horticulture on the rural economy and the latest results from this year’s organic vegetable variety trials.

HDRA Researcher Phil Sumption says: “Growers need confidence in new varieties and in organic seed, which means that results from variety trials assume great importance. Results from recent organic variety trials on potatoes, carrots, onions, lettuce and other crops will be presented by NIAB and results from the pilot programme of growers’ trials of lettuce and cabbage varieties will also be available.”

Natalie Geen will present the latest news from HDRA’s Defra-funded Organic Vegetable Market Study. Natalie will also reveal the results from the Supermarket Watch Survey, in which more than 300 HDRA members monitored the organic vegetables available in supermarkets during 2004.

Joy Carey, from the Soil Association, will explore the opportunities for growers to supply the expanding public procurement sector. And Matt Read, of Exeter University, will present research showing the positive impact that organic horticulture can make on the rural economy.

The open day will cost £20 per person, including an organic lunch. To book call Phil Sumption 024 7630 8200 or use a downloadable form available at www.organicveg.org.uk.

BACKGROUND

HDRA's scientific research programme is carried out to develop and improve the techniques used in organic agriculture and to advance the knowledge of organic production systems, focusing on commercial organic horticulture in temperate areas and on resource-poor systems in developing countries.

At present, HDRA is involved in a wide range of projects, funded by DEFRA's research programme on organic farming, DFID and industry. The research projects are carried out in close collaboration with other research institutes nationally and internationally.

HDRA has recently adopted the name Garden Organic for its public facing work, but continues to use HDRA in conjunction with its research.