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Phil Sumption

@philsumption.bsky.social
275 followers 550 following 55 posts

Organic grower, researcher, author and advisor. Freelance - Bio Communications. Based in Germany.

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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 17h
The second in my blog series for @organicrescent.bsky.social www.organicresearchcentre.com/news-events/... #organicfarming
organicresearchcentre.com
Organic is for life, not just September - The Organic Research Centre
Phil Sumption blogs on ORC's work on the organic market over the last 46 years, as Organic September draws to a close.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 17h
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I have written a blog for @organicrescent.bsky.social which is the first of a new series reflecting on past ORC work and achievements. This one on a great collaborative & participatory research project led by @gardenorganicuk.bsky.social #organicfarming www.organicresearchcentre.com/news-events/...
organicresearchcentre.com
The wisdom of the weeder - The Organic Research Centre
Phil Sumption blogs about a pioneering project on organic weed management that brought farmers, researchers and stakeholders together.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
We are collecting your experiences of integrating laying hens into vegetable and/or fruit/agroforestry systems for a feature in the Organic Grower. What are the pros and cons and top tips for making it a success? - Please respond before August 1st 2026 - us.list-manage.com/10FXsbxcj0L?...
Hens between trees in an orchard
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
ORC welcomes the news that an Organic Action Plan for England #OAPE is on its way, and reflects on why Organic Action Plans are so important. @riverford.bsky.social #organicfarming www.organicresearchcentre.com/news-…
organicresearchcentre.com
Towards an English Organic Action Plan - The Organic Research Centre
Julia Cooper and the English Organic Forum met Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP at Riverford's Sacrewell farm for encouraging discussion about an Organic Action Plan for England.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
If you missed the webinar 'How to Start a Market Garden' with Kate Collyns and @philsumption.bsky.social the other night you can watch it here #organicfarming youtu.be/FzYJqokIAIM?...
youtu.be
How to start a market garden - with Kate Collyns
YouTube video by Organic Growers Alliance
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
UK looks to relax planning rules for factory farms after industry lobbying - documents chronicle years-long campaign to make it easier to build intensive livestock units Story by @zdboren.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
UK looks to relax planning rules for factory farms after industry lobbying
Exclusive: documents chronicle years-long campaign to make it easier to build intensive livestock units
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
I received mine yesterday! Always great to see hard copies of projects I've worked on!
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
News from our recent AGM in Leeds - Seed Conversations, farm visits and more! #OrganicGrower #Organicfarming #organicseed organicgrowersalliance.co.uk/oga-agm-enjo...
organicgrowersalliance.co.uk
OGA AGM enjoys Yorkshire hospitality - March 2026 - Organic Growers Alliance
For the 2026 OGA-AGM we enjoyed warm hospitality at the Quaker Meeting House, Leeds. They provided all organic teas, coffees, milk and biscuits. They also gave us full access to their kitchens and the...
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Agricology @agricology.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
🔦Event Spotlight: How to Start a Market Garden 👩‍🌾 Thinking about setting up a veg growing business? Learn about the challenges & rewards of commercial market gardening at this @ogagrowers.bsky.social webinar on 25/3 with Kate Collyns & @philsumption.bsky.social 🥬 Tickets here: ow.ly/CYiV50YrfqE
Kate on a blue tractor in the market garden
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
It's our AGM on Friday in Leeds. If you can't make it you are welcome to join online from 1.45pm GMT. It may be possible to join in the panel discussion on 'Seeds; Sourcing, saving and sharing' that will follow the conclusion of the business. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/organic-gr...
Emerging puntarelle garnished with slug eggs
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Our Spring #OrganicGrower is approved to print. OGA members can expect theirs soon! Also in the mailing will be this great new Rotations for Field Vegetables Technical Guide from @agricology.bsky.social - another benefit for being an OGA member organicgrowersalliance.co.uk/join-oga/
Front cover of The Spring Organic Grower showing Jonathan Smith loading seaweed with a fork onto a trailer to illustrate the feature 'making the most of seaweed'Image shows the new 'Rotations for Field Vegetables Technical Guide' from Agricology
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Great news to wake up to! 😊✅
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Organic farming and agroforestry in SFI, on-farm composting 💩, farmer 🌳champions and more! Our February E-bulletin is out! #organicfarming mailchi.mp/organicresearchcentre/e-…
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Agricology @agricology.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
💻#RotationsForFieldVegetables Hub Last month we launched our new curated learning space bringing together the very best: 🧑‍🌾Farmer case studies 📹Videos & webinars 🧰Digital tools 📖Research & science 🔗 Visit the Rotations Hub now: agricology.co.uk/resource/rot... @philsumption.bsky.social
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
We need to raise funds to secure the development of the Organic Growers Alliance, and build greater strength across the organic movement. #OrganicFarming We have the promise of £5,000 if our members, friends, and supporters will match it. organicgrowersalliance.co.uk/oga-fundrais...
Photo of small copper butterfly on borage flower, with text 'OGA 2026 Funding Appeal. UK Organic Horticulture Needs you' and OGA logo
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
We have picked out some highlights of @orfc.bsky.social #ORFC26 from an #organicfarming perspective with links to videos and recordings: www.organicresearchcentre.com/news-…
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Great to see Lee Holdstock of the Soil Association talking about our 'very excellent report' at #Biofach in the 'European Market for Organic Food' session. Read it here: www.organicresearchcentre.com/resou… #organicfarming
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Nice to see Susanne Padel (ex of this parish) chairing the 'European Market for Organic Food' session at #Biofach 2026. Data presented by FiBL The World of Organic Agriculture www.fibl.org/en/shop-en/1861-organi…
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Wow! More people are employed in the organic sector in Germany than in the car industry! #Biofach #organicfarming
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Agricology @agricology.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
👀Look Inside Our New Technical Guide: Rotations for Field Vegetables📖 Agricology's latest Tech Guide offers in-depth, experience-led guidance on designing and managing #CropRotations in #Horticulture. Read it now: ow.ly/Gtko50Y8Fi8 #Agroecology #RegenAg #Organic @philsumption.bsky.social
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Agricology @agricology.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
🤔Why are #CropRotations so important? They can help growers to: 🌱Suppress weeds ⚖️Balance fertility 🥕Boost productivity 🪲Fight pests & disease Learn how to design & implement effective #horticultural rotations with our new Tech Guide by @philsumption.bsky.social 🔗https://ow.ly/hiAR50Y5jVS
Rotations in Horticulture: Key Benefits

Suppress weeds
Balance fertility
Boost productivity
Reduce external inputs
Protect your soil
Fight pests and disease
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Check out the latest #OrganicGrower podcast. In this episode, James talks to Dan Betterton of The Kitchen Garden People, based at @realfarmed.bsky.social Oxfordshire. www.buzzsprout.com/2316172/epis...
Dan Betterton peers out from behind a cucumber plant and nasturtiums
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
🌱 Out now from Agricology #Rotations for Field Vegetables New Technical Guide by Phil Sumption on-farm video & online Resource Hub supporting growers to design resilient veg rotations and build #soilhealth.🐞#organicfarming Free, practical and grounded in real experience. ow.ly/8chJ50Y5MTi
ow.ly
Rotations for Field Vegetables – a new Technical Guide from Agricology - The Organic Research Centre
New Agricology Technical Guide and Hub support growers to strengthen field vegetable rotations and improve soil health
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
OGA members will receive a hard copy of this fab new guide with their next #OrganicGrower magazine.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Great to see this over the line and out in the world! #organicfarming #OrganicGrower
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Agricology @agricology.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
New Resource ➡️ Climate Resilience: a Guide for Growers 🌍 This booklet by Andy Dibben & Dan Burston for OGA & CSA Network offers info for growers looking to improve their #resilience & flexibility in the face of climate-based challenges. 🐞Read now: ow.ly/8Hbs50XW7rc
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Agricology @agricology.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
📢New Blog! Our #ORFC26 Reflections Alice Farmery, Janie Caldbeck & Phil Sumption from the Agricology team have joined forces to share their highlights & take-away ideas from across the conference. Read now ➡️ agricology.co.uk/blog/reflections-o… 📸@hedgehoghugh.bsky.social
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Agricology @agricology.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Clare Whittle helps to kick off #ORFC26 "How can you break down the crap that surrounds you and make something better?" How can you be more dung beetle?"
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Don't miss this! Strawberry Masterclass with Tolly! One day workshop for commercial growers and gardeners, learning about propagation, site preparation, care & selling of organic strawberries. #organicfarming #Organicgrower 10:00AM to 3:30PM, Mon 16 Feb tickets.mp/ZXZlbnQ6ODMz...
tickets.mp
Strawberry Growing Workshop
One day workshop for commercial growers and gardeners, learning about propagation, site preparation, care & selling of organic strawberries.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Looks like a Ram Raid....
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Jack Wallington @jackwallington.com · 22/12/2025
Petition asking the Labour Government to put a timeline on the ban of peat based composts by @peatfree.bsky.social has flown past 5,000 signatures already. Labour is damaging economic growth in the horticulture sector with uncertainty on this issue actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal...
actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
Sign the petition to end peat sales!
No more delays: Let's get peat out of gardens once and for all. The time for uncertainty has ended.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
One of my clients is the lovely German organic/biodynamic seed firm Culinaris Saatgut für Lebensmittel. All OP seed grown/bred by them. I have for a few years designed and translated their Catalogue. The English Catalogue is available to download as a pdf culinaris-saatgut.de/en/varieties...
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Great writing for all lovers of the countryside, gardening and growing with nature. Perfect for winter evenings to dip in and out of. I read mine over and over and never get tired of it.
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Welcome to OGA's December News 2025 🎶 O Tannenbaum, how faithful are your leaves 🎵 mailchi.mp/9e6aee222a2e...
Photo of a packing shed full of seasonal vegetables in crates plus the OGA logo, an icon of a Christmas tree and the words ' December News.'
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Today is the second birthday 🕯️ 🕯️ of my book The Organic Vegetable Grower #Christmasiscoming www.crowood.com/book/organic...
crowood.com
Organic Vegetable Grower | The Crowood Press
The Organic Vegetable Grower is a practical guide for those growing, or wishing to grow, market and sell organic vegetables for a living. The book is rooted in organic principles and covers: • Getting...
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
No.72 is on its way! #organicfarming
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
We're in westminster for the official launch of the UK Fruit & Vegetable Coalition. UKFVC Chair, OGA‘s Steven Jacobs said: “The UK’s organic, agroecological fruit & veg growers are already delivering multiple wins for health, climate, nature and the economy, but they need support." #organicfarming
Three people standing in front of pop-up banners in a panelled room
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
OGA Review of the Season 2025! We are open for your entries for the Winter issue of The #OrganicGrower How was it for you? Top tips etc. forms.gle/n4Fdp8KSwfMs...
Magazine page showing part of the 2024 Organic Grower Review of the Season
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
We are running a feature on #clubroot in veg rotations in the next #OrganicGrower We want to hear growers' experiences whether you've had it or not, keeping it out, how you deal with it and advice to growers finding it on their land forms.gle/55f6dKp3Dj3g...
Clubroot
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Agroforestry Show, Hub and Handbook, Sustainability of Organic Farms, Events and More! Our October E-Bulletin is out! mailchi.mp/organicresea...
Agroforestry in big letters in a fieldCompetitive cereal cropMixed cover cropPeople harvesting potatoes in a field in summer
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
One of my proudest achievements is getting this book out there - Tim's writing is sublime and I never tire of reading these columns over and over.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Great to be involved with this latest technical guide from Agricology
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Organic Growers Alliance @ogagrowers.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Read all the latest news from the OGA in our September newsletter #OrganicGrower #Organicfarming mailchi.mp/3515bad37b12...
Assorted squashes in the sunshine with OGA logo and the text 'September news'
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Organic Research Centre @organicrescent.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
We have big news - ORCis now part of ADAS! This move expands ADAS’ applied agricultural research capabilities, whilst also enabling the ORC to continue advocating for organic & low-input farming principles under its own brand. www.organicresearchcentre.com/news-events/...
organicresearchcentre.com
The Organic Research Centre joins ADAS - The Organic Research Centre
The Organic Research Centre (ORC) will become part of the agricultural and environmental consultancy ADAS, effective from 1 September 2025.
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Both of these fabulous books will be available from the @ogagrowers.bsky.social stand at the Organic Growers Gathering this weekend on special offers. All profits to OGA. Everyone’s a winner!
Two books photographed in the garden with climbing beans
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Phil Sumption @philsumption.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
My #OrganicGrower has arrived! @ogagrowers.bsky.social Always a proud moment… Have you got yours yet?
Cover image of the Organic Grower magazine with a man operating a rotavator.
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