Farming events and webinars
Quick links: Events, online and in person | Events in Scotland | Watch again
Save the date: Agroforestry Show 2025
Wednesday 10th - Thursday 11th September
Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross, Hertfordshire
Keep an eye on the Agroforestry Show website for updates.
Whole farm approach to feeding dairy cows
Wednesday 26th March, 10.30am-2pm
Godminster Farm, Bruton BA10 0NE
Organic dairy farm manager, Peter Cheek, leads a farm walk. There will also be a discussion about growing high nutrient resilient forage in ways that maximises soil health, biodiversity and climate outcomes.
Topics covered include:
- whole crop silages (oats, bean, rye mix), and how they fit in the rotation - timing and entry point in, establishment, weed management in absence of herbicides
- Westerwold Ryegrass, vetch and clover mix
- benefit of pea / barley mix - establishment, timing in the rotation
- diverse leys – managing to maximise production and longevity
- composting of manures to maximise nutrient stability and return
We'll also look at how these approaches are building organic matter and improving soil structure.
Maize growing conference and farm walk
Thursday 27th March, 10am-3pm
Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, PL17 8PB
Interested in finding out more about minimising the negative impacts of growing maize, while maximising yield, silage quality and soil health? Join this farm walk and see different establishment methods and growing approaches on the trial field at Duchy College.
We'll discuss:
- Establishment methods - their impact on soil health and structure, and the effects of different methods on yield and gross margins. We'll share the results and learnings from the Farm Net Zero-Innovative Farmers trials and hear from the farmers who took part.
- Different growing approaches: we’ll explore methods for under-sowing maize, sharing experiences from the trial, and options for intercropping maize with beans from a farmer trialling it in Cornwall.
- What makes good silage and how to maximise quality
Low tillage winter forage production
Wednesday 9th April, 10.30am-2pm
Tregooden Farm, Bodmin PL30 3PS
Come along to this farm walk, focussing on the technicalities of growing winter forage crops using non-plough-based systems.
You will:
- see how strip till and direct drilling are reducing the number of cultivations necessary to produce winter forage
- learn more about producing maize and arable silage or wholecrops without the use of tillage and associated negative impacts on soil health.
The event is free to attend, and includes a pasty lunch and refreshments. Thank you to Malcolm and Catherine Barrett for hosting this event, and for being one of our demonstration farms.
Exploring the value of the farm treescape through whole farm tree planning
Wednesday 30th April, online
Join us as we reveal the value of treescapes in farming practices. We'll share results from our Whole Farm Tree Plan project.
As well as learning insights from the project, funded via the Forestry Commission, we'll hear about the tree assessment process and how it shaped the future plan of one of the project farmers.
The webinar panel offer expert guidance on the benefits of trees on farms and pathways to improving treescape management.
Exploring alternative crops and soil inputs for resilient farming
Friday 2nd May, 10.30am-3.30pm
Fradswell Village Hall, near Uttoxeter ST18 0EY
With a focus on the potential of fibre crops, alternative protein crops and bio-stimulants, this event is for farmers looking to diversify and anyone curious about the latest research and on-farm experience of these approaches. We'll be looking at:
- the benefits of growing fibre and protein crops for growers and supply chain
- how bio-stimulants naturally enhance soil health and crop resilience
- which practical growing techniques are being used successfully at Field Hall Farm
- which market opportunities and processing options are available through these alternative crops.
Building sustainable sheep systems
Wednesday 7th May, 6-7.30pm, online
A webinar on how to improve soil health, optimise grazing, and access funding for sustainable sheep farming, ahead of our sessions at NSA Welsh sheep on 21st May, and NSA North Sheep on 4th June. We will explore:
- strategies for improving soil health and pasture management
- effective grazing systems to boost productivity and animal health
- update on government support schemes available for sustainable farming practices
Field scale vegetable and salad production
Wednesday 14th May, 10am-2.15pm
Pollybell Farm, Gringley on the Hill DN10 4SN
Come along to Pollybell Farm in Nottinghamshire for a look at the practicalities and feasibilities of field scale organic vegetable production and packing. We will explore:
- how a horticultural enterprise operates within the wider rotation
- early stage trials to reduce cultivations through the use of cover crops, alongside management of lowland peat
There will also be an opportunity to find out more about our new learning network for growers.
Integrated pest management in top fruit
Wednesday 11th June 10am-2pm
Boxford Farms, Keeper's Lane, Leavenheath CO6 4PZ
Join us for the second on-farm event of the Top Fruit Learning Network, generously hosted by Robert England at Boxford Farms.
We'll mostly be focusing on the farm’s approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the techniques they use to reduce the need for sprays. We will explore:
- the use of wildflower margins to create habitat and food source for beneficial insects.
- the use of technology for pest and disease prediction modelling, alongside cultural techniques that mitigate the reliance on plant protection products.
- how top-fruit growers could create insight and opportunities within the sector through a learning network.
Complimentary lunch and refreshments are included.
Planning for change (Scotland)
A whole farm approach to natural capital
Wednesday 23rd April 10.15am-12pm, online
In partnership with Woodland Trust, Finance Earth and Soil Association Certification, join us to explore the findings of our FIRNS project on natural capital development for small and medium farms in Scotland. The event looks at the challenges, the development of a whole farm approach to natural capital and the outcomes so far. For farmers and crofters, landowners, policy makers, community leaders and environmentalists in Scotland.
Past events to watch again
The Agronomy of Intercropping (March 2025) One of the key barrier to the uptake of intercropping is a lack of knowledge about its agronomy, specifically around weed and pest control but also species selection and seeding ratios. This webinar looks at the findings from a recent field lab, part of the Leguminose project.
Agroecology Transect - Exploring the barriers and levers to Agroecology - a deep dive into what helps and what hinders the upscaling of agroecology across Europe.
The Agroforestry Show 2023: links to audio recordings of all sessions. Find out more about the show on the Agroforestry Show website.
Groundswell 2023: links to recordings of our sessions and panel discussions.
Agroforestry carbon code: find out more, and scroll to the end of the page to see our recent event.
Agroecotech conference: watch our recent event on YouTube
Integrated pest management: watch these case study videos, showcasing participants of the Farming the Future programme with Nature Friendly Farming Network, RSPB, Pesticide Action Network and CoFarm Foundation on the Agricology website.
