Would you like to be able to create healthy soils and resilient fields for arable crops while reducing reliance on inputs, even during droughts?

On this course, led by agroecological adviser Niels Corfield with the FarmED team, you will learn how to apply the principles of regenerative agriculture to improve and monitor soil health in your arable operation, for optimum crop performance. In addition to the formal training, we will facilitate peer to peer learning and discussion.

You will also hear from a guest speaker, take a tour of the various enterprises at FarmED, and be fed nutritious, seasonal, and locally produced food from the FarmED Kitchen.

Course Content and Structure

This course is split into two sessions run over three days, as follows:

Session 1: Fundamentals of Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture – 6th October 2021

In this session you will be introduced to how natural ecosystem processes affect your soil, and how by following regenerative agriculture principles you can work with these processes to improve soil health.Crucially you will learn about the important role soil biology plays in crop performance and farm resilience and what practices can be used to support healthy soils.

We will define what healthy soil looks like and take a walk around FarmED to demonstrate how to measure this in the field using practical soil tests. You will also learn how to read your own soil and how to use the SoilMentor app so you can collect data from your own farm to analyse before the second session.

Session 2: Improving and Monitoring the Health of Your Soil - 15th & 16th November 2021

In this 2-day session you will analyse the soil observations you collected on your farm using SoilMentor as a basis for developing an action plan to apply the principles of regenerative agriculture for soil health on your farm. 

We will then discuss agroecological strategies and techniques for improving soil and plant health, including:

● Reworking your crop rotations for soil health

● Designing and integrating cover crop mixes and other means to cover keep your soil protected

● Utilizing compost and other agroecological soil amendments to build soil organic matter

● Other field management practices for building soil health

To make sure you can measure the benefits of the changes you make to your soil you will be given training on monitoring soil and plant health as well as signposting and advice on how to get the most from lab testing.

Who's this course for?

This course is designed for arable farmers but is also suitable for landowners, estate managers, farm advisors and ecologists.To gain the most benefit from the course it is recommended that you have access to land on which you can practice the lessons during the course.

About the trainer

Niels Corfield has been working to deliver truly sustainable food and farming systems for more than 15 years. He is an independent adviser and trainer. He has 12 years’ experience in adult education and is formally trained in Holistic Management and Regenerative Agriculture Design. On a mission to create regenerative landscapes and farms in the UK and Europe, Niels focuses on agroecological systems that are low maintenance yet productive.

Tickets

£350.00 + VAT

Total: £420.00

Ticket price includes three hot lunches and one hot dinner (evening of the 6th of July).

Participants receive all course handouts and complimentary access to the SoilMentor app for use during the course.

Special offer - 10% discount for members of the Pasture Fed Livestock Association. Please use the code 'SOILPFLA' at checkout.

This course is part of our regenerative soil health series for 2021 – choose which one suits you. Discounts are available if you wish to do more than one (please email sophie@farm-ed.co.uk):

● Regenerating Soil Health for Arable Farmers

● Regenerating Soil and Pasture Health for Graziers & Livestock Farmers

● Regenerating Soil Health for Horticultural Growers

The FarmED Bursary

If funding is a barrier to you, we can help. We have a small bursary pot which we can use to help fund or part fund course fees and other expenses for those that will benefit most.

Click here for more info: www.farm-ed.co.uk/bursaries

More information & booking

If you require more information on FarmED please email sophie@farm-ed.co.uk.

Your booking is safe. If we cannot run any element of the training face to face due to Covid restrictions, you will be refunded, or you can switch to an alternative course/date.