Some of our growers
Organic Connections International markets the whole range of produce from a number of growers both in the UK and abroad. Crops are programmed and organized well in advance, in order to ensure continuity of supply and correct volume to our customers. The growers are dedicated organic growers and grow organically for a number of reasons and vary in size of holding. Some have put their thoughts on these pages and others have allowed some of their details to be viewed
Pam Bowers – Strawberry Fields
"Strawberry Fields started growing organic vegetables by accident. We - that is Rick, my now ex-partner, Jade (3) and myself - moved out of a housing estate in Hertfordshire in the mid 70’s with John Seymour’s ‘Complete Book of Self Sufficiency’ in hand, to keep a goat or two, a clutch of hens and Grace, the sow. We took the back-to-land ethos to the extreme, clothing the babies (x4) we were producing along with the organic vegetables, like Robinson Crusoe in a lumpy home buying in little besides tea and coffee.
But the bills, electric, water, running a vehicle still had to be paid for and so we grew a vegetable surplus for sale. Of course in those days (1975) there wasn’t the organic market. There was none of today’s back up, organic advice at the end of the phone, producer support groups, specialist machinery and the organic aid scheme was unheard of. Everything was down to trial and error and mostly the latter. We were truly pioneers!
Our enterprise grew along with the demand. One then seven, then to seventeen acres and then life dealt one her ironic blows. As Rick and I parted company, the adjoining long-converted field came up for sale. When we got the land it more than doubled Strawberry Fields acreage to 38 acres. It has been a tale of survival ever since.
Organic farming isn’t all sunshine and roses. More often the emphasis is on cutting mud-splashed produce into fast dissolving cardboard boxes, while stood welly-deep in liquid fertiliser, so I thank Edwin and Karen for this opportunity to talk directly to our Organic Connection International customers! "
Pam Bowers
Farms 38 acres of fertile fen soil in Lincolnshire. Wide range of salad and vegetable crops – celery, lettuce, fennel, chard, leeks, broccoli and cauliflower
Donald Morton – Bagthorpe Farm
Donald cultivates an idyllic farm in Norfolk on the edges of the Sandringham estate. He started to convert the 300 acres now organic, back in 1985, often realising that the market for farm produce was out of balance, there were wine lakes and milk lakes and grain mountains within Europe. Donald started to convert to encourage wildlife and enter into alternative markets. He has become the epitome of organic growing and holds many farm walks to encourage new growers to convert. On his land he grows strawberrys, carrots, onions, sweetcorn and potatoes, he also raised beef and cereals.
John and Jane Edwards – Wrangle
John and Jane Edwards grow on 300 acres in Wrangle near Boston (Lincolnshire) with their two sons Rob and Will, where the family dates back to the 1700's, being the second oldest family in the village. The farm decided to be organic in 1990, to produce top quality product. They now grow 30 acres of Dutch cabbage, 6 acres of cauliflower along with all the other main products, including beef.
WEA and KP Broad – Upwell www.riverdaleorganicfarm.co.uk
A partnership company between Karen and Edwin Broad established in 1996. It's aims are to continue to grow organically on grade 1, fenland siltland, farmed by the partnership, and to expand and help by the means of renting purchasing or share farming, helping more land to become organic in the surrounding area.
Producing a wide range of protected crops from modern polytunnels - cherry tomatoes, aubergines, and herbs, early carrots, spring cabbage, salad crops to name but a few. The ancient orchards are being renovated and rejuvenated to once again produce old favorites such as Bramley, Worcester and Lord Lamborne as well as the new varieties, which are specially selected for their flavour and disease resistance, making them ideal candidates for organic growing.
Specialist crops such as runner beans, spring onions, and Chard are grown on site. New varieties and experimental systems are also trialed on site. In tota at total of around 75 differnt crops are grown each year. All products are sold through marketing experts, Organic Connections International.
