National Vegetable Society

[sewer rat]

As a recently joined member of the above Society, I just wondered how many other Grapes are members of the NVS. I know Aberdeenplotter and Tattieman are. Anyone else ?
As well as being a generally nosey git, I am hoping to get a District Association (DA) of the NVS going up here to cover Highland and Moray regions and am curious as to how people perceive the Society and what, if anything could be done to convince them that it is a worthwhile Society to join.
I have my own views about the NVS but I would like to know yours - good, bad or indifferent, let me know !

[dave_norm_smith]

Although I am not a member yet, I certainly intend to join in the forseeable. I think most of the exhibitors use it as well in order to attend the talks, access advice etc- and they all swear by it.

[bearded bloke]

Never knew it existed,will google it this evening

[northepaul]

I had a look at the web site, but couldnt really see the value in joining? Its quite expensive too - and you dont seem to get anything for your money?
Whereas I can see the point of joining the local allotment and gardens society at £5 a year.

[dave_norm_smith]

Hi

I do think it has a bit more to offer show growers but

Objectives of the Society

To advance the culture, study and improvement of vegetables.

To advance knowledge of and foster public interest in such plants by the publication of information, by exhibiting, by stimulating research and experiment and by awarding prizes open to public competition.

To maintain trial grounds, horticultural gardens and facilities for giving advice on the culture of vegetables.

To organise a Panel of Lecturers on vegetable growing.

To organise a Panel of Judges by holding Judges Examinations in each Branch as and when necessary.

To organise visits to places of interest in connection with the study of vegetables, to co-operate with other bodies having similar or sympathetic aims and generally to do all such acts as shall further the active and corporate life of the Society, and may lawfully be done by a body established only for the purpose recognised by the law as charitable.

To maintain a library of knowledgeable books and photographic slides on the cultivation and exhibition of vegetables made available to all members and Affiliated Societies at a nominal charge.

To form District Associations as necessary in order that members may localise their activities in addition to those provided by the Society

(Lifted from site)

It seems a fair bit of stuff for your money? Maybe somebody out there who is a member could say what its like as an active member?

Dave

[Aberdeenplotter]

We also have a quarterly magazine - named Simply Veg -that is full of hints and tips. In Scotland, last weekend, we had a superb seminar with speakers including Peter Glazebrook (Giant veg grower who recently broke the world record for an onion weighing in at just under 18lbs), Mark Atkins from a company called Soilharmony who gave us the low down on their products, and also a down to earth talk on the growing of cauliflowers that entertained and informed those present. The entertainment stemmed from the speaker -Jim Pearson from Whitburn, Midlothian telling us how he does it in plain terms without any scientific gilding yet proving he can get results that way as he has won the NVS Championships with his cauli entries 6 times in total.

The seminar is also a great opportunity for us to meet up in person with the guys we exchange views and information with on the Private Members forum on our web site. If anyone wants more info please ask. We are not a secret society maybe just a bit backwards in coming forward but some of us are trying really hard to bring the society up to date.

[Pies]

Ok i confess im a member.Simply veg as AP says is worth the membership fee on its own.I joined as im after as much info at a reasonable cost to help me improve growing veggies.IMHO it does lean more to the showers which suits me fine as i use some of there ideas to help me although not to such levels
The nvs have members give talks on how to improve your veggies,always given by genuine experts who actually grow veg
So IMHO its worth joining

[Alison]

I joined earlier this year and have already been sent a reminder for next years payment. It's currently on the think about it pile as I'm not sure about rejoining. The mag is quite good but I have found it rather show biased. There is a local meeting within walking distance of my house which I have meant to go along to but unfortunately it clashes with other committments so I've not been able to do so. At present the likihood is that I won't renew.

[zazen999]

Is veg taste ever mentioned in the NVS, or is it just size they are after?

[veggiechicken]

I looked at the website but couldn't find any information about local branches in South Wales. It would have been good to know whether there are any local meetings, where and how often. I don't want to enter shows and big isn't always beautiful or tasty - so it didn't tempt me to join - sorry!

[Pies]

size is not the most imprortant thing,overall quality is.Obviously in comps taste is not judged.But quality of the veg is,so i look at how somebody grows there veg to high quality and sometimes swap the varieties for ones i like.Most veg that is grown for show is actually eaten. Most showers grow the same variety of carrot, tom and leek.But i look at using the methods used and using my favorite seeds to hopefully give me a better crop >)

[Pies]

I looked at the website but couldn't find any information about local branches in South Wales. It would have been good to know whether there are any local meetings, where and how often. I don't want to enter shows and big isn't always beautiful or tasty - so it didn't tempt me to join - sorry!

NVS WELSH BRANCH

[veggiechicken]

NVS WELSH BRANCH

Thanks Pies. Found that but its a bit thin on information about meetings
By the way, I have 2 black & tan Cavaliers, never had a Ruby though.

[Aberdeenplotter]

To quote our judges guide, size is only meritorious if accompanied by quality. Growing giant veg is a completely different ball game. I personally will not grow anything that I won't eat even although it looks good on the show bench but growing for the showbench isn't what the NVS is all about. Our local DA(District Association) is very much about extolling the virtues of growing your own and our motto " If you haven't got a plot, you can grow it in a pot" very much sums up what we are about.

If we put up a display, we will include a poster with the message, "some grown to compete, but all grown to eat" which again amply demonstrates what we are about.

[tattieman]

I find the NVS is great. Full of info on how to grow vegetables to the best of their ability. Its like having experts of every type of veg in the one place. It now even easier to join with paypal.