What is Organic Centre Wales (OCW)? OCW is the national resource for consumers, farmers and policy makers committed to more sustainable food and farming in Wales. Set up in 2000, it delivers projects to support and develop the organic sector. About the Centre.

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For producers  |  Going organic  |  Working with producers  |  Technical information  |  Soil and fertilty management  |  Government support

Step by step guide to organic conversion

Plan carefully
Get out there!
Read all about it
Apply for support from the Government
Look at your marketing options
Get your farm certified

1. Plan carefully

It is vitally important that you understand the implications of conversion and prepare a detailed conversion plan. Farming Connect can provide financial support to help you do this through the Whole Farm Plan service.

2. Get out there!

There is no substitute for meeting experienced organic farmers and other producers who are also converting their systems. Farming Connect also support a programme of demonstration farm and farmer discussion group events, conferences, seminars, workshops and other types of knowledge transfer activities. In addition it has established a Skills Development Programme which enables eligible farmers and forestry businesses to claim 50% funding towards vocational and regulatory training.

The Soil Association has a network of organic farms open to the public in Wales and England.

4. Read all about it

A range of publications is available from OCW, including technical guides, fact sheets and information on all aspects of food and farming. Visit the website www.organic.aber.ac.uk for more details, free downloads and to subscribe to two free regular e-mail bulletins. The Soil Association also publishes a series of technical guides and a magazine, Organic Farming, which contains technical items and news. Organic Farmers and Growers also provide an information pack for farmers and regular newsletters. Other technical information is available from the Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm.

5. Apply for support from the Welsh Government

It is important that you find out if you can get support before starting conversion. Contact your local Divisional Office for information.

6. Look at your marketing options

There are many opportunities for marketing Welsh organic produce through producer groups, cooperatives, supermarkets and direct sales. OCW offers marketing information through the Better Organic Business Links project www.organic.aber.ac.uk/BOBL. The Food Fisheries and Market Development Division (FFMDD) of the Welsh Government offers support for the development of organic marketing and processing.

7. Get your farm certified

Certification is an entirely separate process from applying to the Welsh Government for support payments. However, payments are conditional on the land being certified, and remaining so, throughout the period of your agreement. Minimum organic standards are set by the European Union and interpreted by DEFRA, and are implemented by a number of organic certification bodies. See Factsheet 9.