Organics
Thrill of The Hill – Organic Outlook: Planning for Conversion
Organic farming in Scotland is entering a period of renewed growth. The latest Scottish Government statistics show that, in 2025, 168,200 hectares of Scottish agricultural land were either fully organic or undergoing conversion — an increase of 28% on 2024 and 62% since 2021. Of this, 115,800 hectares were fully organic, while 52,400 hectares were…
CropCast – Sowing, Growing & Milling at Mungoswells
On today’s episode Mark is joined by Angus McDowall from Mongoswells Farm. Mungoswells flour begins in the fields of the family farm in East Lothian, a region known as the ‘Breadbasket of Scotland’. What started as a passion project has since evolved into a unique field-to-flour operation. They sow, grow, harvest, mill, and package on-site,…
Exploring Organic Horticulture at Pillars of Hercules Organic Farm
Recently, ‘Pillars of Hercules Organic Farm, Shop & Cafe’ in Fife was host to a guided farm tour and two workshops covering an introduction to seed saving, and flower and pot plant production. Small-scale growers came from far and wide – from the Scottish Borders to Kirriemuir, to spend the day with peers exploring the…
Specialist Advice Support for Organic Farming
Organic farming offers a practical way to build a more resilient and sustainable farming business, while improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity and reducing reliance on purchased inputs. Whether you are considering conversion or looking to improve an existing organic system, success begins with careful planning and informed decision-making. From managing soils and making the most…
Build Resilience In Any Farming System Using Organic Principles
We are increasingly recognising the vulnerability of our food production systems to external shocks – escalating input costs, changing consumer patterns and more extreme weather events. Organic systems, with their low-inputs, diverse crop rotations have a clear role to play in building resilience to these challenges. In this article, senior agricultural ecologist Dr Lorna Cole…
Established to Exceptional: Refining an Organic System
Anderson Brothers is a farming partnership run by brothers Matthew and Philip Anderson alongside their respective wives Becky and Mary. The business has developed a profitable and resilient organic system designed around the realities of upland farming. By focusing on soil health, forage utilisation, genetic suitability and simplified management, the business has reduced reliance on…
From Conventional to Organic: A Farmer’s Reflections
The Stewart family farms 700 acres across three fully organic units, Marshill, South Draffan and Southfield. Converting to organic in 2020, the business runs 390 Holstein Friesians. Cows are ai’d to sexed semen to produce home bred replacements with the remainder being served with Aberdeen Angus or Wagyu sires. All land is down to grass…
Key Learnings And Takeaways From The Natural Capital Podcast In 2025/26
The Natural Capital podcast series explores the role of natural capital in Scottish agriculture and rural economy. Natural capital refers to the soils, water, air, plants, wildlife and ecosystems that support agriculture and provide essential benefits to people and nature (Find out more here). These assets generate ecosystem services like food production, flood protection and carbon…
Organic Arable Silage – What You Need To Know
At Kirwaugh Farm near Wigtown in the Machars peninsula, Andrew Robinson has been running his dairy farm organically for over 17 years. As part of his crop rotation and weed control, grass reseeds are established with an undersown arable mix. This helps with weed management, in particular dock which are common in the local area….
Stock Talk – Gordon Whiteford: Lower Mill of Tynet Farm
Welcome to Stock Talk. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Gordon Whiteford who farms at Lower Mill of Tynet in Banffshire. In 2012, Gordon and June Whiteford began Lower Mill of Tynet Farm. They built an egg business, then a micro-dairy in 2020, selling milk and now ice cream directly from their 24-hour farm…