Seminars with Iain Tolhurst: learn from a lifetime experience in food growing
Extensive programme of one-day practical seminars on “ins and outs” of organic farming
Iain Tolhurst has been a practising organic vegetable producer for over 37 years, one of the
original pioneers of the organic movement in the UK. He is internationally renowned and has taught
organic systems in many parts of the world.
To capture the wealth of his skill and knowledge, for future generations, Tolhurst Organic
are launching a series of practical seminars for both aspiring and experienced growers.
As an accomplished and dynamic teacher with wide range of experience, Iain is able to bring
a group of people together and encourage them to think for themselves for the good of the whole
group, so everybody learns a piece from each other.
The wonderful highly acclaimed organic farm on the beautiful Hardwick Estate that he runs
is the main tool in the practical learning exercise.
Lunch is for many a highlight of the day, as much as possible of the food is from the farm
with everything including the tea and coffee being organic. The day starts and ends with
tea/coffee/biscuits and you will find great company to chat with, in a beautiful environment.
All seminars start at 10am and last for 6 hours, including lunch. Cost is £55 + VAT. Discounts
apply. For more details of the farm and vegetable business see: www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk
2013 Seminar Programme
13 May: Plant Propagation - Growing Your Own
Growers depend on healthy plants to get decent crops. For those that grow a range of crops it is
usual to grow some or all of the plants used in their system. This is a specialist subject needing a high
level of skilled management, to be successful. The seminar will look at the facilities and equipment
needed to establish a dedicated plant raising unit within a working horticultural unit... To see more
details and to book, visit our dedicated page on Eventbrite
http://plantpropagationwithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
14 May: Composting for Bountiful and Healthy Crops
Good compost is well known for encouraging healthy and productive crops and promoting a living
soil. Growers generally struggle with producing decent amounts of quality material and often feel
that they should be doing more. This workshop explores the virtues of this wonder material, studies
the requirements of the composting process then discusses the sources and types of available
materials... To see more details and to book visit our dedicated page on Eventbrite
http://compostingwithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
20 May: Bio-diversity on the Farm: Functional and Practical
Few growers realise the full importance of bio-diversity on their farms, it is often considered as a
bolt on extra, something to do when all else is done. But functional bio-diversity will play an
important role in developing the “systems approach” to crop production, enabling you to reduce
inputs, control pests and disease, and improve the cropping potential of your land... To see more
details and to book, visit our dedicated page on Eventbrite
http://biodiversitywithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
21 May: Rotations Design - a Systems Approach
Good rotation planning is the key to successful organic vegetable production. The seminar considers
the importance of adopting a “systems approach” to rotation design. It covers an in-depth look at
the reasons for rotation design, the principles behind successful design and finishes off by looking at
specific rotations in practice... To see more details and to book, visit our dedicated page on
Eventbrite http://biodiversitywithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
17 June: Farm Footprint - Towards a Carbon Zero Farm?
This seminar will look at what you can do to reduce your farm’s energy use and how you could even
head towards a zero carbon footprint. It will explore the possibilities of actually replacing carbon lost
through your inputs to carbon gained via the ability of plants and soils to sequester carbon. This
approach is designed around the working farm, how you can maintain or even improve output whilst
capturing carbon for the long-term benefit of your soil and of the planet... To see more details and
to book, visit our dedicated page on Eventbrite http://carbonzerowithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
18 June: Weeds, Pests and Diseases WP&D
Often seen as the big challenge to food production, this seminar will explore some of the positive as
well as negative aspects of WP&D. You will learn about the “systems approach” to developing inbuilt resistance to many common problems and see how it is even possible to get weeds on your
side at times! We will explore how WP&D become established, how they impact crops and how you
are going to maintain a degree of control over their negative effects... To see more details and to
book, visit our dedicated page on Eventbrite http://wpanddwithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
24 June: Machinery and Tools for Growers
An in-depth look at tools and equipment needs for growers and large-scale gardeners on organic
holdings. Sensible purchase and use of the right equipment can improve your production
enormously. This seminar will explore the range of equipment that you may need, the services
needed to maintain them and especially important - the way you can reduce energy inputs to your
production. The use of horse power will be discussed, as well as the workshop facilities that you will
benefit from on the farm... To see more details and to book, visit our dedicated page on Eventbrite
http://machinerywithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
29 July: Irrigation and Water Management for Growers
Everything (well, almost) you need to know about irrigation from tunnels up to field scale. The
weather is a fickle thing and can leave you high and dry some years or flood you out the next. So,
you will need to be well equipped to cope with a dry summer and even in a normal year irrigation is
an important tool to maintaining yields, continuity, and quality produce... To see more details and to
book, visit our dedicated page on Eventbrite http://irrigationwithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
30 July: Extending the season for organic vegetables
This seminar is for organic producers with box schemes or other direct sales outlets; it would also be
of considerable use to other growers aiming to produce a wider range of vegetables. Methods of
production, storage and alternative crops will be explored. Particular emphasis will be on low-tech
solutions to problems with the view to energy saving... To see more details and to book, visit our
dedicated page on Eventbrite http://extendingtheseasonwithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
21 October: Green Manures for Healthy Soils and Crops
Horticultural crop systems make heavy demands on soil fertility and soil sustainability, often
requiring large amounts of inputs to support fertility due to excessive nutrient losses and crop offtake. Better use of green manure systems can make dramatic improvements to soil fertility and
structure, enabling a more viable and productive system whilst dramatically reducing inputs as well
as enabling a more self-sustaining system. The workshop explores the way in which green manures
can be integrated into cropping through modified rotations... To see more details and to book, visit
our dedicated page on Eventbrite http://greenmanureswithiaintolhurst.eventbrite.co.uk
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email us at info@tolhurstorganic.co.uk
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