What is Veganic Agriculture?

If you’ve ever wanted to learn about growing food veganically (without the use of any animal products or chemical fertilizers), there is a fantastic opportunity coming up, provided by The Certified Organic Associations of BC (COABC).

On Thursday November 12, the COABC will be hosting a web seminar with Iain Tolhurst, a leader in the field of veganic agriculture. For those who grow their own food, or those who want to know more about what veganic agriculture means, this webinar should be a great way to learn about the practical methods of veganic growing.

Tolhurst is an independent organic horticulture consultant who runs a highly successful, low-carbon, veganic farm in the United Kingdom. By using crop rotations, green manures and sustainable agricultural practices, Iain Tolhurst farms without any animal manures or animal byproducts. His program provides more than 400 boxes of produce per week, using 90% of his own produce.

The November 12 webinar will discuss the methods used on Tolhurst’s veganic farm, including how they have developed a low carbon footprint.

Tolhurst has been a Soil Association symbol holder since 1976, specializing in supplying organic vegetables through his own box scheme. His advisory career began in 1984 as senior horticultural advisor with Elm Farm Research Centre. He has been involved with many national and international organic projects in more than 12 countries. Tolhurst Organic Produce was the first farm to be certified “Stockfree Organic”, as per the UK veganic certification program.

As well as authoring an extensive range of papers and articles in various organic journals, Tolhurst is the co-author of Growing Green: Animal-Free Organic Techniques. Growing Green demonstrates, through case studies, that when growers abandon the use of slaughterhouse by-products and manures they can be rewarded with healthier crops, and fewer weeds, pests and diseases.

Iain Tolhurst’s farm is used extensively for demonstration purposes with visitors from all over the world, and a range of seminars are held during the year. He works closely with a group of clients delivering on-farm advice and specializes in a “systems approach” to deal with the problems of fertility, pests and diseases. He is currently chairman of Thames Organic Growers and a founding member of the Organic Growers Alliance.

For more information about the benefits of veganic agriculture, visit the Veganic Agriculture Network or the Vegan Organic Network.

Author’s Note:

Some readers have commented that this post sounds like an ad, which was not my intention. Veganic agriculture is a subject I have mentioned in my posts in the past, and some people have been skeptical about whether it could become a viable form of commercial farming. I thought this webinar would be a great opportunity to offer people the chance to learn more about it.

Thanks for reading.

Image: Veganically-grown sweet corn, Gentle World

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Chinmayee J.

2:24AM PDT on Mar 17, 2010

This is awesome, I didn't even know it existed! I wish I grew my own food (hopefully one of these days) but this sounds like a wonderful way to grow fruits and vegetables. I hope more and more farms adopt this method.

send a green star

Abo r.

1:00PM PST on Feb 18, 2010

Noted

pierluigi b.

7:29AM PST on Jan 14, 2010

Thanks!

Sir Walk F.

9:16PM PST on Nov 3, 2009

"It is not really advertising, I can understand the author of the article wanting to explain and make clear this person's credentials because as veganic horticulture is unusual, this farmer could be seen as a whacko.""

It is advertising for a pay-to-participate workshop.

for better or worse, that is advertising.

Sarah K.

12:16PM PST on Nov 3, 2009

This makea a lot of sense to me. There are a lot of "wastes" from your garden that can easiliy be turned into nutrient rich compost. There are probably quite a few people out there already veganic gardening and may not know it by this term. I will continue to combine my veggie food scraps with chicken poop, as this is the best compost! I'm open to trying something new, but I would be surprised to find something better.

P H.

6:14AM PST on Nov 3, 2009

And here is the link to the article by the OCA

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27042

5:41AM PST on Nov 3, 2009

Here is an article from GRIST on the subject.

http://www.grist.org/article/2009-10-27-obama-Siddiqui-croplife/

5:39AM PST on Nov 3, 2009

I had added a link to a petition from the Organic Consumer's Association for those interested to keep a Monsanto insider from becoming part the US Govt as chief agricultural negotiator at the U.S. Trade Office. This is significant because it is expected he will use this office to pressure the EU to accept more of GMO & GE crops from the US. I think we can all agree this is not a good thing.

hippie d.

1:24AM PST on Nov 3, 2009

great article!
thanx for the info on the book & websites...
i've been waiting for this!

Angel F.

9:15PM PST on Nov 2, 2009

Hi PH,

I just wanted to let you know that I don't know anything about the deletion of your comment. It's news to me.