Below is a press release regarding Organic fortnight and what is going on in Cumbria. - Martin

Organic Fortnight [1^st-16^th September] provides the ideal opportunity to visit a Cumbrian farm to see where some of your organic food is produced. Meet the farmer, be taken on a guided walk round the farm to see the animals grazing and crops growing in the fields—and experience all the sights and sounds of a working organic farm. You will come away with a greater understanding about organic food production and an appreciation of all the hard work and expertise that goes into present day organic farming in . You might even be tempted to buy some organic produce to take home and try; content in the knowledge that you know exactly where that food came from, how it was produced and by making that purchase you are supporting local organic agriculture.

Chris Atkinson, the newly appointed Organic Development Manager at the Northwest Organic Centre starts his new post just in time for the Soil Association Organic Fortnight--an annual celebration of all things organic. This year the theme is ‘Wake up to an Organic Breakfast’ and there will be many events, focussing on this theme, taking place all over the country.

Here in , at the start of Organic Fortnight, on Saturday, 1^st September at Mansergh Hall Farm, Mansergh, near Kirkby Lonsdale—Jim Hadwin and family will be hosting a Farm Walk at their well- established organic farm. There’ll be the opportunity to buy produce from the Farm Shop. It’s free and everyone is welcome. The Farm Walk starts at 11am . Please call 01524271397 or e-mail; info@manserghhall.co.uk to book or just turn up on the day.

On Tuesday, 4^th September at Deer’n’Dexter, Old Stoddah Farm, Penruddock, near Penrith, there is a Farm Walk to see Dexter cattle and farmed deer. It is one of a series of Farm Days run by the Friends of the Lake District . Please call; 01768 480069 to book your place or visit; www.floraofthefells.com

To round off Organic Fortnight on Sunday, 16^th September, Susan Aglionby will be hosting a Farm Open Day to see her famous pedigree Longhorn cattle, flock of Mule sheep, hazel coppicing and much more at Wallace Field, Armathwaite, near Carlisle. There are guided walks at 2pm and 4pm . Please tel; 01228 549628 or e-mail; susanaglionby@btinternet.com for more information.