The Manx Organic Network (MON for short) is a voluntary organisation made up of local people including consumers, smallholders, gardeners, farmers and retailers. Our main concern is to help increase the availability of Manx organic produce.

Our aims and objectives

• To promote awareness of the benefits of organically produced food and sustainable agriculture.
• To promote Manx organic farmers and growers by encouraging consumers to buy locally produced organic food.
• To create a network of local resources, information and advice.
• To encourage the Manx Government to continue and increase its support for organic production.
• To develop an identifiable Manx Organic brand.

How we developed

• December 2003: DAFF invites Scottish organic farmer and inspector Charlie Wannock to give a talk at Knockaloe Farm, Kirk Patrick on the future of organic farming. It’s immediately obvious there is a real desire to increase the availability of Manx organic produce.
• April 2004: After several meetings, the embryonic MON decides to have a presence at the summer agricultural show
• July/August 2004: With stand space donated by sympathetic exhibitors, MON completes 149 straw polls at the shows. 139 people polled express interest in supporting MON.
• April 2005: A committee is in place, with an adopted constitution and a chosen bank – the Co-operative Bank in consideration of its ethical stance. Of 139 potential members, 100 are fully paid up.
• Summer 2006: With 300 members and growing, MON is recognised as a driving force in organics on the Island, regularly participating in important debates with Government and industry.

How we’re making a difference

Just three examples of the areas in which we’re driving forward:

• We are gradually convincing the Manx Government that building the local organic market could be a winning formula - particularly for farmers facing cheap imports. As a direct result of our efforts, the Government-owned abattoir now has organic certification, while the Creamery is working towards encouraging enough farmers to convert to satisfy the demand for organic milk which is currently imported.
• We are working with several smaller producers (three to five acres) to encourage major expansion of local organic vegetable production, to find an economic way for these producers to gain organic certification and achieve distribution for their produce through local markets.
• At the individual level, we are actively encouraging more people to grow their own produce, without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilisers.

The MON committee line-up:

Janet Bridle, Chairman

Jeremy Bridle, Treasurer

Susie Watson, Membership Secretary

Pheric Curphey (Manx organic farmer)

Alison Jones

Sharon Jamieson

Jan Kneen

Andrew Moore (Manx organic farmer)

Caroline Perry

To contact the office holders (Chairman, Treasurer, Membership Secretary) or the Website Editor, see separate section – Contact Us

Meetings

Committee meetings take place roughly once a month.

Open meetings

There is no regular programme of Open Meetings, but members have the opportunity to meet members of the Committee at the AGM, and also at the main Shows. Do come and visit the marquee at the Southern Show and the Royal Manx Show.