Event

Exploring Alternative Crops and Soil Inputs for Resilient Farming

Date : 2nd May 2025 | 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Venue : Fradswell Village Hall Fradswell Lane Fradswell ST18 0EY

Soil Association technical event focused on the potential of fibre crops, alternative protein crops, and bio-stimulants.

Join us for an event focused on the potential of fibre crops, alternative protein crops, and bio-stimulants. Whether you’re a farmer looking to diversify, or simply curious about the latest research and on-farm experience of these approaches, this event will offer practical insights, infield demonstrations, and networking opportunities.

We will explore:

  • What 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, a demonstration farm for Soil Association’s Agroecology at Scale Project.
  • Which market opportunities and processing options are available through these alternative crops.

We encourage you to come along to this free event to hear from experiences of trialling fibre crops, protein crops and bio-stimulants; and explore the opportunities alongside other farmers. Lunch and refreshments will be included on the day.

Agenda
10:30 AM – Arrival & welcome refreshments

11:00 AM – Introduction to the day, and introduction to the science and effectiveness of bio-stimulants.
Speaker: Tim Cannon, Agronomist, Maxstim

12:00 PM – Exploring fibre crops: flax, hemp & beyond
Speaker: Heather Oldfield, Cereals & Pulses Product Manager, Limagrain

12:45 PM – Farmer experience: Growing crops for fibre & bio-stimulants in practice

Speaker: Robert Atkins, Field Hall Farm

1:15 PM – Lunch and networking opportunity

2:15 PM – Field walk: seeing alternative crops in action
Guided walk to see fiber crops (flax, hemp) and alternative protein crops.

3:30 PM – Event close

Thank you to Robert Atkins and family for hosting the farm walk.

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