Here, we welcome Roger Kerr, the Chief Executive of Organic Farmers and Growers and trustee of the Organic Research Centre, to explore the intricacies of organic farming and its evolution. With four decades of experience in organic and conventional farming, Roger is uniquely equipped to delve into some of the most topical questions around organic farming.
Starting with his early interest in organics at college, Roger takes us through his fascinating career trajectory, which includes time working with conventional agriculture ("the dark side" as he humorously puts it), his pioneering work in setting up a dedicated organic consultancy business, and his significant role in establishing Calon Wen, a thriving organic dairy cooperative in Wales.
Hear about the potential of organic farming to change our approach to food production and consumption. Get insights into the essential role of innovation in organic farming, which often defies the stereotype of organic farming as 'old-fashioned.' Roger explains how strict organic principles can lead to the development of unique techniques, such as electronic inter-row weeders, innovative cultural controls for pests and diseases, and the implementation of agroforestry and intercropping methods.
Discover the crucial role of peer-to-peer knowledge exchange in fostering organic farming and the significant role that the Organic Research Centre plays in supporting the sector's growth. Roger also candidly discusses the potential barriers and challenges faced by organic farmers, primarily driven by the lack of financial motivation for external bodies to invest in organic farming innovation.
Get ready for an enlightening journey into the world of organic farming and how it represents a powerful tool in creating a more sustainable and health-conscious food production system. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of agriculture and the integral role organic farming will play in it.
Looking for additional insight? Catch the full episode here.
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Barbara Bray -
Roger Kerr -
Jeff Moyer -
Cristina Micheloni
- Strict standards and restrictions in organic farming can force farmers to consider new approaches and innovate.
- Organic food is purchased at least once a week by half of the Danish population, accounting for 8.4% of total food and beverage sales in the country.
- A single acre of organic agriculture, according to the Rodale Institute, has the capacity to remove 7,000 pounds of CO2 from the environment each year.
In this series
MBE, PHD RESEARCHER AND CONSULTANT IN NUTRITION, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Barbara is a PhD researcher in nutrition at Queen’s University Belfast, a TEDx speaker and director of her own consultancy, Alo Solutions Ltd.
She speaks at food and agriculture events, she has spoken on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today and represented the Private Sector Mechanism in speeches at the UN Committee for Food Security in Rome.
Barbara is passionate about diet and food. Her Nuffield Farming project on ‘Vegetable Production For Specific Nutritional Need’ looked at international food policies and private initiatives to promote consumption of vegetables that benefit our health.
Roger Kerr comes from a farming background and has worked on various farms over the years. He helped establish Calon Wen, the Welsh organic dairy farmers co-operative in 2000 and became their Managing Director. Calon Wen were the first ever to secure a branded organic milk listing in a U.K. major retailer along with developing branded butter and cheese lines.
Roger is also Chairman of the U.K. Certifiers Group, the U.K. representative on the IFOAM EU Council, the Director of Finance of the Organic Trade Board and the Pasture Fed Livestock Association, and a Trustee of the Organic Research Centre.
Jeff has been working at Rodale Institute for over 45 years and became CEO in September of 2019. He was project leader for the highly acclaimed Organic No-Till project and is the author of two books on this subject: “Organic No-Till Farming – Advancing No-Till Agriculture Crops, Soil, Equipment” and “Roller/Crimper No-Till – Advancing No-Till Agriculture.” His vast experience and knowledge regarding organic farming has provided the media with a reliable source and perspective for information on current agricultural issues.
Cristina Micheloni is an agronomist with a degree in Ecological Agriculture from Wageningen University, and has been engaged in organic farming since early '90s, when she set up the first Documentation and Dissemination Centre for Organic Farming in Italy. Cristina combines advisory activity with on-farm research and regulatory development. In her Region, Friuli Venezia Giulia, she established a specialized advisory service for organic farmers. In the last years, she started several experimental activities on-farm on topics such as organic no-till, new value chains and plant-based proteins.
