Retaining the ORC brand, ORC is a stand-alone business within the ADAS group of companies and will continue to be managed by current CEO Lucy MacLennan. The move of ORC research staff and ongoing ORC projects to ADAS will allow both organisations to benefit from shared resources and complementary applied research expertise.

Lucy MacLennan said:

“The move of ORC to ADAS not only safeguards the future of ORC and our work advocating organic and low-input farming principles, it also means we can evolve and expand our research into new areas. The ORC has a long and accomplished history, and we want to reassure our supporters that our strategic research aims remain the same as when we were founded  – to protect the environment and to enhance biodiversity by means of independent applied organic research and to communicate our research findings widely so as to encourage change throughout the British agricultural sector.”

Prior to the move, ORC formed part of the Progressive Farming Trust charity, which also maintains the Agricology knowledge platform. The Progressive Farming Trust and Agricology will remain separate entities, and their activities will continue unchanged.

Jackie Evans, Managing Director of ADAS Group, commented:

“This move signals the start of an exciting new chapter for ORC and ADAS. ADAS has an excellent track record of delivering independent applied research to support sustainable, resilient, and profitable farming systems. With ORC’s agroecological expertise now in-house, we can pool our knowledge to deliver complex, multifaceted agricultural projects and ensure we continue to deliver the best possible environmental outcomes. Our aim is to add to our portfolio of research and advice, and create a centre of excellence for organic agricultural research.”

“We are delighted to welcome ORC and its staff to ADAS, and we look forward to working together to drive research and innovation in organic, agroecological, and regenerative farming systems.”

ORC’s chair, Donald Peck, added:

“In ADAS, we are very pleased to have found a partner which both respects our history and shares our values. We are excited about the future of independent organic research and the opportunities this partnership will bring to continue this work while Progressive Farming Trust makes its own separate impact.”