It’s been a year of celebration and reflection for Shropshire Organic Gardeners (SOGs), a group dedicated to the principles of organic gardening and sustainable living. In 2025, the group proudly celebrated three milestones: its 21st annual Potato Day, the 50th edition of its members’ newsletter, and its 35th anniversary as an organic gardening group!

Many SOGs members are longstanding Garden Organic Master Composters, who promote the benefits of composting at events and give talks on composting and organic gardening practices across Shropshire. Chairwoman Rachel Strivens has volunteered for Garden Organic for many years and works closely with the charity to embed composting and soil health into the annual programme.

"We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together,” says Rachel. “These milestones are not just numbers - they represent years of learning, growing, and building a community rooted in care for the earth."

35 years of organic inspiration

Founded in February 1990, SOGs has grown into a large network of gardeners, educators and environmental advocates (current membership stands at 155), who meet monthly to further their gardening knowledge and enjoy inspirational talks and garden visits.

The SOGs Potato Day, held each February, has become a cornerstone event for local growers. The events offer dozens of organic seed potato varieties, expert advice, and a welcoming space for gardeners of all levels to connect, while enjoying the legendary cakes that members bake to raise funds for the group. Leftover potatoes are donated to local schools for them to plant in their school gardens.

In April, the group celebrated the 50th issue of its newsletter - a publication that has evolved into a much-loved source of seasonal tips, recipes, organic gardening inspiration, reflections on previous talks and community news.

But the biggest celebration this year is SOGs’ 35th birthday. Founding members and new members came together to celebrate at a summer garden party. And over the decades, the group has enjoyed countless summer visits to inspirational gardens across Shropshire and in nearby counties.

In winter, the programme changes to a series of talks, which have included everything from beekeeping, soil health, seed saving and pests and diseases, to worms, foraging and, of course, composting and Bocking 14 comfrey!

The group makes regular charitable donations to local causes, such as tools for a Community Orchard, funds to develop a community garden’s composting area and donations to help expand a number of community growing spaces. This year the donations included becoming a shareholder in Babbinswood Organic Farm, in North Shropshire.

Annual membership for SOGs costs £12, and new members are always warmly welcomed. For more information visit Shropshire Organic Gardeners. And find out more about becoming a Shropshire Master Composter here.