Category: News

Farm Net Zero project to deliver over £1 million of support to farmers in Cornwall

Posted on August 22, 2020 by - Farm Net Zero, News

Duchy College, part of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), has been awarded almost £1.3 million from The National Lottery Community Fund to run The Farm Net Zero project, which aims to help the farming community move towards net-zero carbon emissions.

The project which is running for the next 5 years, aims to help the farming community in East Cornwall to move towards net zero carbon emissions. There will be opportunities for farmers to access bespoke carbon footprinting, soil carbon testing and support networks which target practical actions that can be taken on farm to reduce emissions and improve sequestration.

Activities will include the setting up of net zero demonstration farms which will showcase practical actions that can be taken and the impact of management changes on emissions, farm profitability and natural assets. There will be opportunities for farmers to learn more about the sources of emissions on farms and the ways that they can be reduced as well as understanding how soil health is pivotal not just to resilient farming systems but to delivering climate change solutions for society.

Becky Willson project manager for Farm Carbon Toolkit explains:

“We are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to build on our existing work with farmers. This funding allows FCT to support communities of farmers within Cornwall to understand the key issues concerning climate change and agriculture, and develop farming systems that are fit for the future.

“Agriculture has a major role to plan in achieving our net zero targets, as well as being in the unique position of providing a climate solution. Involving farmers in the discussions and empowering them to rise to the challenge through enhancing knowledge and opportunities will enable real change.  Reducing emissions and improving sequestration on-farm requires skills development, measuring, monitoring and working together, all things we are able to do within this project.  This project will allow us to engage with a wide range of communities and share best practice and knowledge from other sectors.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Cornwall to be at the forefront of developing net zero farming systems and we can’t wait to get started.”

The project is a partnership between Duchy College Rural Business School, The Farm Carbon Toolkit, The Soil Association, Westcountry Rivers Trust, and Innovation for Agriculture.  The project will involve working with farmers and the wider communities across East Cornwall to pioneer new approaches to low carbon food production.

To find out more about the fund please visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk

Soil Farmer of the Year: New sponsorship announcement

Posted on February 23, 2021 by - News, Soil Farmer of the Year

The Farm Carbon Toolkit is delighted to announce that the Soil Farmer of the Year 2021 will be sponsored by crop production specialists, Hutchinsons.

The Soil Farmer of the Year competition is now in its sixth year and aims to promote and champion those farmers who are putting soil health at the core of their farm business management.  Previous finalists and winners are some of the leading lights in the soil health and regenerative agriculture movement, inspiring other farmers by showing what can be done.

“We are very excited to work with Hutchinsons on this year’s competition,” explains Becky Willson, technical manager at Farm Carbon Toolkit. “Their support will allow us to devote more time to the competition to develop resources that can be used to share best practice from our fantastic Soil Farmers.  It will also widen the network of farmers and growers that know about the competition which creates more opportunities for discussion and learning.”

The competition is still open for another 2 weeks, with the deadline for applications on the 5th March. Applications can be taken online through the Farm Carbon Toolkit website and farmers can apply themselves or nominate another farmer who they feel is safeguarding soil health.  Shortlisting will take place during April, and the final farmers are likely to be judged in person during May. The final results are announced in June, with presentations from the farmer finalists taking place at Groundswell.

Ed Brown, Head of Agroecology at Hutchinsons says:

“We are delighted to be supporting the Soil Farmer of the Year competition in 2021. Soil health, integrated crop management and holistic farming practices undoubtedly form a key part of UK Agriculture, so it is important that those farmers who are leading the way and providing a great example are celebrated. The competition is fantastic way to exchange knowledge and experience in soil management and we will be encouraging farmers all across the UK to get involved.”

The Soil Farmer of the Year competition is run in partnership between Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture, with farmer prizes generously provided by our long term supporter Cotswold Seeds. For more information on the competition please contact Becky Willson at becky.willson@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk 

Soil Farmer of the Year Partners and Sponsor Logos

Soil Farmer of the Year 2021 – finalists announced

Posted on May 20, 2020 by - News, Soil Farmer of the Year

Soil Farmer of the Year Winners 2021 at Groundswell

The Soil Farmer of the Year competition 2021 has selected seven farmers as finalists. 

The competition, now in its sixth year is organised by the Farm Carbon Toolkit (FCT) and Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) and is generously sponsored by Hutchinsons and Cotswold Seeds.  

The competition aims to find famers and growers who are engaged with, and passionate about managing their soils in a way which supports productive agriculture, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and builds soil health, organic matter and carbon.

A wide range of farmers applied to the competition, showcasing different farming enterprises, systems and management practices, and seven farmers have made it through the preliminary phase of judging to become finalists.  The judging process now involves visiting each finalist and hearing more about the soil management taking place.

Deborah Crossan Soil and Water manager at Innovation for Agriculture comments “This competition goes from strength to strength and its contribution to highlighting passionate soil management is immeasurable, the summer farm walks are one of my favourite calendar events.”  

Ed Brown, Head of Agroecology for Hutchinsons says “It’s great to be involved with some of the best soil managers in the country. The entrants show how a profitable and sustainable business can put soil health and improvement at the very heart of the enterprise, showcasing industry-leading practices and techniques.”

The seven finalists in this year’s competition are:

  • Casha Bowles Jones from Shropshire
  • Jack Martin from Staffordshire
  • Mark Oldroyd from Oxfordshire
  • Anthony Pearce from Buckinghamshire
  • Rob Raven from Suffolk
  • Tom Sewell from Kent
  • Sam Vincent from Dorset

All of these finalists will now be judged to decide the final positions which will be announced at Groundswell in June. The farm walks are due to take place on the top three farms in July.

Soil Farmer of the Year Partners and Sponsor Logos

Soil Farmer of the Year 2021 – finalists announced

Posted on May 20, 2021 by - News, Soil Farmer of the Year

The Soil Farmer of the Year competition 2021 has selected seven farmers as finalists. 

The competition, now in its sixth year is organised by the Farm Carbon Toolkit (FCT) and Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) and is generously sponsored by Hutchinsons and Cotswold Seeds.  

The competition aims to find famers and growers who are engaged with, and passionate about managing their soils in a way which supports productive agriculture, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and builds soil health, organic matter and carbon.

A wide range of farmers applied to the competition, showcasing different farming enterprises, systems and management practices, and seven farmers have made it through the preliminary phase of judging to become finalists.  The judging process now involves visiting each finalist and hearing more about the soil management taking place.

Deborah Crossan Soil and Water manager at Innovation for Agriculture comments “This competition goes from strength to strength and its contribution to highlighting passionate soil management is immeasurable, the summer farm walks are one of my favourite calendar events.”  

Ed Brown, Head of Agroecology for Hutchinsons says “It’s great to be involved with some of the best soil managers in the country. The entrants show how a profitable and sustainable business can put soil health and improvement at the very heart of the enterprise, showcasing industry-leading practices and techniques.”

The seven finalists in this year’s competition are:

  • Casha Bowles Jones from Shropshire
  • Jack Martin from Staffordshire
  • Mark Oldroyd from Oxfordshire
  • Anthony Pearce from Buckinghamshire
  • Rob Raven from Suffolk
  • Tom Sewell from Kent
  • Sam Vincent from Dorset

All of these finalists will now be judged to decide the final positions which will be announced at Groundswell in June. The farm walks are due to take place on the top three farms in July.

Winners of Soil Farmer of the Year 2021 announced

Posted on June 24, 2021 by - News

Soil Farmer of the Year Winners 2021 at Groundswell

Tom Sewell, an arable farmer from Kent and Sam Vincent, a dairy farmer from Dorset have been awarded the 2021 Soil Farmer of the Year as joint winners.

The competition, now in its sixth year is organised by the Farm Carbon Toolkit (FCT) and Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) and is generously sponsored by Hutchinsons and Cotswold Seeds. 

The competition aims to find famers and growers who are engaged with, and passionate about managing their soils in a way which supports productive agriculture, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and builds soil health, organic matter and carbon.

The Winner

Tom farms around 500ha across Kent running a simple low cost arable system focussing on building soil health, maintaining production and regenerating the landscape. An early pioneer of reduced cultivation, Tom’s Nuffield scholarship in 2013 ignited his enthusiasm in soil health and the system has grown from strength to strength. 

Tom has been chosen as the winner for this year due to his enthusiasm, attention to detail and fantastic soil and crop health. He is constantly questioning his system and looking to innovate and focus on improving soil health and building resilience.

Second Prize

Sam Vincent farms 130ha in Dorset, running a dairy herd of 100 cows and followers. He transitioned to organic in May 2018, and all of his land is down to permanent pasture. Sam impressed the judges with his ability to make a regenerative system work on a dairy farm with permanent pasture. Using the cattle as a tool, he has improved the diversity in his pastures by adapting his grazing management from a traditional New Zealand paddock grazing system to a mob grazing approach which he follows now. This has improved his soil health, the resilience of his fields and the ability to provide grazing for extended periods.

Sam impressed the judges with his determination to make a system that worked for his soil type, system and livestock. The soils on the farm were well structured and pasture quality and species diversity was abundant. 

Third Prize

The accolade of third prize was taken by Anthony Pearce from Buckinghamshire.  Anthony is transitioning the whole farm to regenerative and is trialling a range of different techniques including no till, cover crops, integration of livestock and the use of compost.  Anthony has spent the last 3 years learning about soil health, travelling to the states to take part in the Soil Health Academy and learning under Elaine Ingham.  He also records his transition on the farm through his YouTube channel where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities and a chance for sharing of ideas with other farmers.

The competition is kindly sponsored by Hutchinsons and Cotswold Seeds, with the top three farmers being awarded prizes from Cotswold Seeds in the form of fertility building, cover crop or green manure seeds.

Becky Willson, FCCT Technical Manager said “Yet again we have been totally blown away by the quality and calibre of the applicants for this year’s competition. The finalists were all achieving amazing results and showing a diversity of approaches to building soil health and so the decision was incredibly hard. However our winners this year stood out in their ability to challenge themselves, continue to innovate and to achieve high quality production from fantastic soil management. Congratulations to all of the finalists.”

Ed Brown, Head of Agroecology for Hutchinsons says “It’s great to be involved with some of the best soil managers in the country. The entrants show how a profitable and sustainable business can put soil health and improvement at the very heart of the enterprise, showcasing industry-leading practices and techniques.”

Seven farmers were shortlisted as finalists as part of this year’s competition. These included, Casha Bowles-Jones who runs an organic farm with a pasture fed dairy in Shropshire; Jack Martin an arable and sheep farmer from Stafforshire; Mark Oldroyd, who manages a mixed farm estate in Oxfordshire; and Rob Raven who runs an arable farm in Suffolk.

All of the finalists were presented with their awards at Groundswell 2021 which provided a fantastic opportunity to meet all of the finalists and see them rewarded for their efforts. 

The top three farmers will also all be hosting farm walks who are open to anyone who is interested, where there will be a chance to see, understand and dig a bit deeper into what they are doing. Further details on these walks are available on the FCT website.