This workshop will include a presentation on improving soil health, reducing reliance on costly artificial inputs and adopting grazing systems through whole-farm planning for greater sustainability, followed by a farm walk to do some in-field soil and pasture monitoring. A buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Led by Niels Corfield, this workshop is designed to help farmers build resilience by improving soil health, reducing reliance on costly artificial inputs and adopting grazing systems through whole-farm planning for greater sustainability.
Do you want learn how to:
Shorten housing periods costs
Combat issues of wet-lying ground in the winter
Eliminate poaching
How to reduce issues of burning-off, or grass growth dropping off mid-season
Grow more grass in drought with less fertiliser
Carry more stock and improve biodiversity on your farm
Be less affected by the weather
Then this workshop is for you. You’ll come away from this workshop with knowledge about:
The principles of soil health
How to improve soil health and increase productivity
How to manage grassland and grazing to become more drought resistant.
How to hold on to water after a rainfall event
How to improve drainage on your land
How to make your fields less impacted by compaction
Remediation strategies (mechanical, mineral, biological)
How to monitor pasture and soil health
Equipment
Please bring with you:
A spade
Appropriate footwear and wet weather clothing
A notebook and pen/ laptop
A camera
Additional Info:
As there are livestock on the farm, we kindly ask that attendees do not bring dogs with them to the farm.
We also request from a biosecurity perspective that all attendees bring with them a pair of easily disinfectable boots that they can wear when walking around the farm.
Part of the session will be conducted out of doors, in a field which is a 10 min walk from the yard. For those with mobility issues, please let us know if you will require assistance and alternative arrangements can be made to get you to the field.
Finally, due to limited parking spaces in the yard, we would ask that where possible attendees attempt to car-share.
Join us for other events in the NFFN England x National Trust series (more information to follow soon)
On-Farm Trees - 14th Nov, Cumbria
This event is produced in collaboration between the Nature Friendly Farming Network and the National Trust.
Join the Nature Friendly Farming Network as a free member to be the first to hear of other events in the series.
Neils Corfield: Niels Corfield has been working to deliver a truly regenerative food system for over 15 years. He is an advisor, researcher, educator, designer and tree nurseryman. Working to create agroecological landscapes and farms in the UK and Europe he is focused on systems that are low maintenance and productive. He advises and consults on: soil health, planned grazing, agroforestry, and whole farm planning. He helps transition farm operations, through an inclusive/participatory approach.
Holly Purdey: Holly was brought up on a small organic dairy farm in Somerset. That foundation allowed the ethos of working in partnership with land and nature to shape the foundations of career choices. Holly has worked for Somerset Wildlife trust and The National Trust before returning to farming as a tenant farmer. She farms 200 acres of permanent pasture and herbal lays with cattle, sheep, goats and chickens.
The farm has developed over the past five years to create a farming model that is aiming to be resilient to future climate change, with planting of wood pasture, silvopasture, water retention work and restoration of grasslands. The farm is driven to reverse biodiversity decline that has happened and is engaged in HLS and SFI Pilots. The farm produce meats for their farm shop and seasonal food events, alongside partnership working with Good Vibe Veg, a CSA veg scheme now based on the farm. Holly also delivers on farm education sessions for local schools and community groups to encourage a greater involvement and understanding in our landscapes for all.