Second estate to become organic
A second section of Dumfries House estate is set to be certified as organic next year.
The Kauffman Education Gardens was declared organic in January, and Home Farm, a quarter- of- a- mile away on the 2000- acre property, is set to follow suit in the new year.
The Soil Association certified the education garden earlier this year, while The Scottish Organic Producers Association are set to certify organic status on the commercial farm, with plans to market organic lamb in September 2019 and organic beef from summer 2020. John Rowell, farm manager, said: “The Prince is well- known for believing in the benefits of organic farming and organic food, so it wasn’t a surprise when we learned he wanted Home Farm to go in that direction.
“As an organic farm, you can’t use any artificial fertilisers or pesticides, and we are making better use of manure.
“The overuse of anthelmintic drugs on some conventional farms is a concern,
“As an organic farm, you can still use certain medicines to maintain the animal’s welfare, and that has to come first. Here, The Prince’s vision for the way forward rubs off on you.
Chris Jones, education gardener at Dumfries House, was key to gaining organic status for the Kauffman Education Garden.
She said: “Having an organic certificate is a way of ensuring that people know exactly how we grow our produce at an education garden and Home Farm.
“Ultimately, if you follow the organic standards and best practice, when you finish with your garden or farm, you should leave it in better condition for future generations.”