Our views
As the heat draws to a conclusion, at least for the moment, I look forward to a breather after a busy spring and summer. Chatting away to all the gardeners and allotment holders I know, this has been a summer season of watering and very little else but those of you that managed to get out and tend to your plants on a daily basis would have seen success.
Have you ever thought about the true cost of producing your food? We expect that the price we pay reflects all the costs of getting food into our shops.
Amongst so many other issues, one of particular concern to our stakeholders is the future for organic after Brexit. Organic food and growing is currently regulated by the EU organic frameworks, which set standards and regulations for all EU member states. But what will happen after Brexit?
Many Garden Organic members are concerned about the use of pesticides and weedkillers used in public spaces. Glyphosate formulations to kill weeds in parks and around schools, for instance. The latest survey on public amenity pesticide use from the Health and Safety Executive has recently been released. It makes disturbing reading.
Bees living in urban habitats are still being exposed to significant levels of pesticides. This is despite the EU ban on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in farming land.
Could Wales become 30% organic in the next decade? Plaid Cymru is pushing for Wales to increase it's organic output with an ambitious plan to support farmers who want to convert to organic growing.
Project Learning Garden has helped set up learning gardens in 30 primary schools as part of our pilot project, in the London Boroughs of Merton, Bexley and Southwark.
In 2016 we launched a new project in the London Borough of Southwark. The project was funded by the Hirschmann Foundation to train Master Gardeners, and Food Buddies, to go into the most deprived wards in the borough and teach residents how to grow and cook their own organic food.
It's National Allotment Week - time to celebrate your achievements as an organic grower!
Leicestershire Master Gardeners have had their first success with establishing a General Practice Surgery Garden and hope that this will act as a flagship for others who are currently thinking about or planning their own gardens.