In September we were proud to be one of the sponsors of the Second Organic Growers Gathering, hosted by Tolhurst Organic CIC, one of the longest-running organic farms in the UK renowned for pioneering, ethical stock-free organic standards.
On the Friday afternoon Dr.Julia Cooper and Isi Mackintosh from ORC, Nick Saltmarsh from Hodmedod’s and Dr.Imelda Uwase from Reading University held a session called ‘Full of Beans! Integrating Beans into your crop rotation’. Chaired by Dr. Julia Cooper the session was kicked off by Nick Saltmarsh who spoke about the market for dried beans, how Hodmedod’s is trying to increase the availability of British organic pulses and grains and the value of growing high value rare bean varieties on a small scale. Dr.Imelda Uwase then spoke about her PhD on maize-legume intercropping and the Leguminose project which aims to increase legume-cereal intercropping throughout Europe, how this can be adapted on a smaller scale to a horticultural setting was explored. Lastly, Isi Mackintosh discussed ORC’s LiveBean project part of Liveseeding and OPER8 where different individual varieties and mixtures of field beans have been trialled under organic management. The potential to optimise variety choice and mixes to reduce the challenges of organic production systems including weed management was highlighted.
After the session, discussions focused on the best bean varieties for yield and value in market gardens, there was input from the audience on other bean trials in different UK regions, and optimal planting times for runner beans in polytunnels. The speakers were also asked about the benefits of mixed species or mixed varieties to reduce disease prevalence through experiences on the Leguminose and LiveBean projects, the role of beans in crop rotations to prevent legume-heavy cycles that may encourage disease, and seed viability concerns after Bruchid beetle infestations.
“The ORC Full of Beans session at the Organic Growers Gathering was a fantastic opportunity to talk to a large and enthusiastic audience of growers about the possibilities, opportunities and challenges of growing more pulses in the UK. There’s enormous demand for more locally produced beans and other pulses, especially more specialist varieties better suited to horticultural production than arable. Dried beans of Phaseolus species in particular are a potential new high value crop for market gardens that also bring environmental benefits.” Nick Saltmarsh, Managing director, Hodmedod Ltd
https://hodmedods.co.uk/collections/books/products/growing-beans – Susan Young’s Growing Beans book
On Saturday evening an Organic Hops Field Lab workshop was held in the Veg Stock stage. Two of the participants in the field lab, Greg Pilley from Stroud Brewery and Isi Mackintosh from ORC discussed the history of beer and hop cultivation in the UK, the specific challenges of growing hops organically, and the future impact of climate change on global beer production. The thoughts behind the Innovative Farmers field lab were then explained in response to these issues, as well as the success of the trials and outlining potential areas for future research. As the discussion unfolded, attendees enjoyed beer from Stroud Brewery, including the freshly brewed green-hopped ‘Brewers Garden’, made with locally grown hops from the Stroud community. Fuelled by several pints, the audience offered a range of ideas for expanding organic hop production in the UK, such as incorporating hops into forest gardens. Personal stories about attempts to grow or forage for wild hops were shared, contributing to the lively atmosphere. The tent was buzzing with enthusiasm for the future of UK-grown organic hops!
“The Organic Growers Gathering was an engaging event that offered a fun and innovative approach to learning about sustainable farming.
Set in a beautiful location, it provided a fantastic opportunity for knowledge exchange between growers, researchers, and sustainable UK businesses.
The gathering fostered a sense of community, bringing together individuals passionate about sustainable living and a shared commitment to make a positive impact.“ Dr Imelda Uwase, University of Reading
Isi Mackintosh
