Garden Organic has hosted its National Volunteer Masters Conference 2013 bringing together composting and growing mentors from across the UK to celebrate their achievements.
More than 215 Master Gardeners, Master Composters, Local Food Project Co-ordinators, Seed Stewards and other likeminded volunteers attended Garden Organic’s Ryton Gardens site on September 28 for a day of activities to celebrate the work and achievements of the Masters Volunteers network.
A series of themed workshops took place across the day with subject areas including community composting, wildlife gardening, soil science and fruit growing advice.
Roger Key, Garden Organic’s Chair of Trustees, said
“For over a decade, Garden Organic has trained and supported volunteer mentors. This dedicated network of volunteers benefit communities across the country.
“The conference is a celebration of their achievement and an opportunity for us to acknowledge the dedication, inspiration and enthusiasm of the volunteers in delivering growing and composting activities into their communities and networks.”
Guest speaker Professor Chris Baines, a Garden Organic Ambassador and campaigner for urban nature conservation, provided an inspirational speech on the nature of the future highlighting the actions required now to protect our natural environment.
The National Volunteer Masters Awards Ceremony saw individual and group achievements across the Masters Volunteer Network recognised and rewarded within four key categories – Achievement Award, Master Award, Innovation and Social Media Award and Group Achievement Award. Read about the our 2013 award winners here.
Feedback from conference delegates
- “Really well organised, brilliant venue, staff were so, so lovely”
- “A very inspiring day! Shame it went so fast! See you next year.”
- “Really enjoyed it, meeting people, speakers, groups and Ryton is lovely.”
- “Wonderful presentation from Chris Baines.”
- “Quite intense – lots of information crammed in (but good)”
- “I genuinely didn’t realise there were so many ‘Master Composter’ or similar projects around the country so it was really helpful to see the bigger picture.”
- See photos from our 2013 conference (Links to Flickr set)
- Read about our 2012 conference
- Read about our 2011 conference
- Get involved

Wonderful group of lively volunteers gather at Ryton Gardens.
![]() Inside the group photo! |
![]() Early morning calm before 215 guests! |
![]() Garden Organic’s head of programmes, Margi Lennartsson addresses the audience |
![]() Garden Organic’s chair of trustees, Roger Key thanks the volunteers |
![]() Garden Organic’s new chief executive, James Cambell meets volunteers over tea and cake |
![]() Organic gardening expert, Pauline Pears leads a training session with volunteers |
![]() Coffee cups become plant pots |
![]() Masters with hens… |
![]() Workshop led by Ryton head gardener, Andi |
![]() Cutting the official conference cake…! |
Group photos

New ‘Hens@Home’ mentors trained by Garden Organic at the National Volunteers Masters Conference 2013

Volunteers and co-ordinators involved with Garden Organic’s Sowing New Seeds project in growing spaces around England

Co-ordinators from Local Food projects gathered for a special workshop with Master Gardener Programme manager Philip Turvil (far left) as part of a Shared Learning Exchange visit. Co-ordinators were joined by lots of their volunteers
Volunteer Master Gardeners offer food growing advice to local people and communities. The volunteers are fully trained and supported by Garden Organic, the UK’s leading organic growing charity.
This programme is funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food scheme, Public Health, Local Authorites and commercial firms in eight areas, Warwickshire, North London, South London, Norfolk, Medway, Lincolnshire, Somerset and HMP Rye Hill. For more information visit the Master Gardener website at http://mastergardeners.org.uk
The Master Composter Programme is an initiative where Garden Organic work with community volunteers to promote and support home composting. Volunteers undertake a training programme in composting and issues surrounding organic waste management.
They then carry out activities in their local community to raise awareness and participation in home composting. The programme is carried out in collaboration with local authorities and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme). For further information about the programme go to http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/composting/mastercomposter.php