Sept 2006. The current DAFF website http://www.gov.im/daff/ does not contain any information on advisory services or provisions for certified organic producers, current or potential. For the moment, links to the 3 documents relevant to these producers can be found on this website in Section: For Certified Producers. We are assured that the website will be updated in the next few weeks.

Organic Certifying Bodies
Two of the most important of these independent certifying bodies are:

www.soilassociation.org

www.organicfarmers.org.uk

Use both sites and their FAQ (frequently asked questions) sections for other useful links. 

For instance, on the Organic Farmers and Growers sites, you can find the following:

•  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - www.defra.gov.uk
• Defra - Organic Food and Farming - www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic
• EFSIS - Independent Inspection Service - www.efsis.com
• Northwest Organic Centre - www.nworganiccentre.org
• Organic places to stay, accommodation on organic farms - www.organicholidays.com

On the Soil Association site, their FAQ section leads you on to other areas, such as:

About organic standards
About organic
About this website
Certification
Farming and growing
Is organic better?

Organics for Grow Your Own
For many years, the principal body in support of growing your own using organic principles has been H.D.R.A., the Henry Doubleday Research Association.  This has recently changed its name and is now called Garden Organic.  The website is www.gardenorganic.org.uk and is full of very useful information.  You may choose to join to benefit from the Member’s Section, receive their quarterly magazine and also get 10% off your purchases from the Organic Gardening Catalogue – see below in Sources of Organic Seeds.

Sources for up to date consumer information

Several links in this area are:

From the main Soil Association site http://www.whyorganic.org/ who, what, when, why and where Organics? A website which concentrates on up-to-date issues and information.

http://www.organicgardeningmagazine.co.uk/ for the only UK gardening magazine wholly devoted to organic gardening. Among other things, click on Why Organic for 10 good reasons to Go Organic! For special deals on this magazine, go to Special Offers on this MON website.
http://www.organicfood.co.uk/ your organic lifestyle magazine.’

Sources of Organic Seeds

Editor’s note. 

Some of the companies charge extra for postage.  Others offer free postage for an order over a certain amount.  The Organic Gardening Catalogue is one.
Some of the companies charge extra for postage to the Isle of Man, especially for heavier orders such as seed potatoes; some don’t.  The Organic Gardening Catalogue is one that doesn’t. 

Some of the companies below will offer discounts for bulk orders to one address. The Organic Gardening Catalogue and Tamar Organics are two that do.  It may make sense for our members in a small area to get together ands make up a bulk order.  If there is a demand for this, please contact the Editor. We can include details of the discounts on the website, then groups around the IOM can get together to make up bulk orders and divide them out on receipt. 

Many of the major seed catalogues have some organic seeds in their range.  However, some of the ones with a greater range of organic seeds are as follows.  If you have to add to the list, please e-mail the Editor with any appropriate comments for your recommendation.

The Organic Gardening Catalogue.  www.organiccatalog.com/catalog  This has links with Garden Organic, the new name for what was formerly H.D.R.A., the Henry Doubleday Research Association)

Tamar Organics www.tamarorganics.co.uk

The Real Seed Company www.vidaverde.co.uk .  They are not certified organic.  They say they are too small to afford certification.  It is up to you to read about what they do, and then decide whether or not to buy their seeds.  The packs are smaller and less expensive than many other companies.

Suffolk Herbs www.suffolkherbs.com.  Not just herbs.  Suffolk Herbs claims to be the most comprehensive stockist of organic seed varieties in Europe!

Moles Seeds. www.molesseeds.co.uk/homepage.htm. Our only certified organic vegetable gardener on the IOM, Andrew Moore, buys his seeds from here.  They have a limited range of organic seeds, but that is growing annually.  The quantities in any packet may be too much for the Grow Your Own gardener, but you can always get a pack and share it among friends.