Event
Integrated Pest Management in Top Fruit at Boxford Farms
This demonstration farm event for top-fruit growers will explore the opportunities for minimising inputs through IPM.
Join the Soil Association for the second on-farm event of the Top Fruit Learning Network, generously hosted by Robert England at Boxford Farms.
Boxford Farms spans 235 hectares and cultivates a variety of crops, including apples, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and asparagus. While the farm follows conventional growing practices, in the interest of sustainability and efficiency Boxford manage their crops with minimal inputs.
This event will highlight 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 explore challenges and opportunities within the sector through a learning network.
Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be included on the day. You can read more about Boxford Farms on the Soil Association’s website here.
The Agroecology at Scale demonstration farms are part of a wider partnership between Ocado and Soil Association which has been established to help transform the way we eat, farm and care for our natural world.
Agenda
10.00 – Arrival and introduction to Soil Association and Boxford Farms
10.30 – The use of technology at Boxford Farms
11.15 – Farm tour and questions to the host
13.00 – Lunch and round-up
14.00 – Close
