organic farming advice
 


     
 

IOTA provides its Members with a host of benefits and services, several of which are accessible through the Members' Area of the IOTA website.

IOTA is a partner in Organic Inform, which provides marketing and technical information and runs events and workshops. You can find out more here.
 
 

The IOTA Accreditation scheme ensures that Members operate to high standards of technical competence and professional conduct.

Developed to meet the requirements of the Welsh Office and in consultation with DEFRA, the Accreditation scheme provides a means of ensuring that those commissioning work, including the Welsh Office, DEFRA and individual farmers, can identify those with the competence and specific expertise to meet their requirements.

Click here for more information on the criteria for Accredited Membership.

 

IOTA would like to thank Yeo Valley Organic for its financial support of the Adviser Accreditation programme.
 
 


Details of Accredited Members are maintained on the IOTA register which is accessible to the public and promoted and used by the Soil Association and Elm Farm Research Centre to identify appropriate advisers and trainers. Click here to access the list. Accredited Adviser Members meet the requirements to deliver advice in Wales under the Farming Connect scheme and discussions are underway to ensure that they will meet the requirements of DEFRA under new proposals to ensure that advisers delivering DEFRA funded advice operate to agreed standards.


Accreditation is backed by a CPD programme that identifies a range of courses and events for advisers and trainers. CPD activity is monitored by IOTA and has minimum requirements as part of maintaining Accredited Membership status.


All IOTA Members will receive access to information through an annual seminar, printed material, a website and information exchange between Members.

IOTA also provides the following services to its Members:

Organic Standards and updates from sector bodies and the EU provided through web links as they become available
 
DEFRA Codes of Good Agricultural Practice and environmental guidelines
 

Soil Association Producer Support Package including:
- access to the SA telephone helpline
- Organic Farming magazine
- Organic Standards and updates through Certification News
- access to over 50 fact sheets and technical guides
- a dedicated website with technical and market information
- reduced fees for events, seminars and conferences
- reduced prices for faecal egg count tests through Graig Producers
- reduced prices on soil tests through Laverstoke Park

 
Services from Elm Farm Research Centre including:
-- EFRC Bulletin
-- Annual Organic Research Review
-- 15% discount on EFRC events
-- 15% discount on EFRC publications
 
Services from Organic Centre Wales
-- Bulletins: Organic Wales and Market Report
--
Fact sheets
 
Services from Scottish Organic Producers Association
-- Organic standards, newsletters, etc.
 
Research Dissemination
-- Link to Organic E-Prints website offering access to Europe-wide organic research
-- Collation and review of UK organic research in collaboration with research institutes
 
Organic Farm Management Handbook - supplied on publication of each edition.


IOTA will provide all Members with access to advisory tools, including the Org Plan conversion planning programme and links to manure planning programmes.


All IOTA Members are encouraged to exchange information. A register of Members to include their expertise and contact details will be maintained in order that information can be freely circulated to fellow Members.

Please note: IOTA is a membership organisation that offers Accredited Membership on the basis of the information provided by the applicant, which is assessed against the criteria laid out in the section titled Accreditation Criteria. Responsibility for the quality of work undertaken by individual accredited members of IOTA rests with the individual accredited member and not with IOTA. Accredited Membership is at the discretion of IOTA, and IOTA is not liable for claims made against it by applicants, Accredited Members or by previously Accredited Members for loss of business or reputation as a result of IOTA refusing to accept or maintain Accredited Membership.