[Rosemary]

Dear all,
Details of our forthcoming events are below. We would be really grateful if you could circulate these to your networks as appropriate. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or would like to book a place.
Many thanks,
Colleen
 
Breeding for Blight-Resistance, Fearniewell Croft, Black Isle, 11.00am - 3pm, 11 May 2015           
A practical half-day event looking at blight-resistant organic potato varieties, including Carolus and Athlete. Host Dan Ross will trial several varieties this season and compare growth, blight resistance and yield. Attendees who are interested will also have the opportunity to join the trial and receive free support and agronomy advice. Delivered in partnership with Agrico (Bioselect UK) and the Sarvari Research Trust.
Free of charge to primary producers & £40.00 plus VAT to others. Booking is essential so that lunch & resource packs can be provided. Click here for a booking form or for more information contact Colleen on 0131 666 2474 or email cmcculloch@soilassociation.org With support from SRDP’s Skills Development Scheme, Duchy Originals Future Farming Programme, Forestry Commission Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland.
 
Controlling Rushes without Chemicals
-          28th May, Kirklinton, Cumbria
-          4th June, Ullapool
-          5th June, Kirkton Farm, Crianlarich
We are running rush control workshops at 3 regional host farms across the country, with a fourth in August. Attendees will hear about non-chemical management options, discuss priorities for the farm/croft, and help formulate a management plan; with each farm/croft working on its own set of measures. Follow-up meetings will take place in the autumn. Free of charge to primary producers & £40.00 plus VAT to others. Booking is essential so that resource packs can be provided. Click here for a booking form. Call Colleen on 0131 666 2474 or email cmcculloch@soilassociation.org. With support from SRDP’s Skills Development Scheme, Duchy Originals Future Farming Programme, Forestry Commission Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland.
Field Lab – Farm Scale AD: Improving Efficiency and Cutting Costs (Meeting 4), Cream o’Galloway, Gatehouse of Fleet, 2 July 2015
This is the last of 4 open meetings looking at small-scale AD in an organic dairy system. We will review the progress made over the last year and look at the impact the AD system has had on elements such as energy use, farm output and profitability, GHG emissions, diffuse pollution, and grassland biodiversity (please note you do not need to have attended previous meetings). Includes a tasty organic lunch. Free of charge to primary producers and £40.00 plus VAT to others. Booking is essential. Click here for a booking form or for more information contact Colleen at cmcculloch@soilassociation.org or 0131 666 2474. Details of the Field Lab so far can be found here. With support from SRDP’s Skills Development Scheme, Duchy Originals Future Farming Programme, Forestry Commission Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland.

Here is a new web page on funding  and  organic conversion information: An intro to Organic Maintenance & Conversion - Scotland
 
Another event that may be of interest:
Organic Gardening Course, Argyll Hotel, Iona, 25-26 July
This course is aimed at those new to gardening or home gardeners with some experience who want to take the step into organic gardening. More information here
 
Colleen McCulloch| Agricultural Development Manager| Scottish Farming Innovation Network | Soil Association Scotland | 3rd Floor, Osborne House, Osborne Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5HG | Tel: 0131 666 2474  | Mob: 07972298576 | @SoilAssocScot | Programme of Events |