Event
Soil Association Meeting – Co. Down
The Soil Association’s Organic Producers Board (OPB) invites you to join them for a regional meeting and farm walk in Northern Ireland.
This is an opportunity to hear directly from the Soil Association about current priorities—and, most importantly, to share your views. They want to understand your biggest challenges, how the OPB can better support you, and what the Soil Association could do differently to deliver greater value.
What to expect
The event will be hosted by Dale Orr at Churchtown Farm. Dale farms over 300 acres in partnership with his father, John. Their enterprise includes traditionally bred beef cattle—predominantly Aberdeen Angus and Herefords—and a purebred flock of Lleyn ewes.
The farm focuses on fresh forage-based livestock systems, with a significant area dedicated to multi-species swards. It has served as a Technology Demonstration Farm for the past five years and is currently involved in research exploring the suitability of lucerne as a forage crop in Northern Ireland.
Dale’s recent achievements include:
- Nature Friendly Farming Network Ambassador (2023)
- Marks & Spencer UK Environmental Champion (2025)
- Sustainable Initiative Award, Northern Ireland Farming Awards (2025)
- Ulster Grassland Farmer of the Year (2026)
Joining Dale will be:
- Helen Browning, Soil Association Chief Executive
- Katrin Hochberg, Farming Director, Soil Association Charity
Who should attend?
Everyone is welcome—whether you are Soil Association certified, certified with another body, or not certified at all. Feel free to bring family, friends, and neighbours.
Schedule
- 11:00am – Arrival
- 11:15am – Farm overview, discussion & Q&A
- 12:30pm – Light lunch
- 1:00pm – Farm walk
- 2:30pm – Close
