Event
IPM in Action: From Research to Practice in Horticultural Crops
This webinar, presented in collaboration between Soil Association, Soil Association Scotland and the Organic Growers Alliance, will combine some of the latest research in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) grounded in a practical, implementable approach. It will look at building a balanced IPM system through biological control, plant diversity, biodiversity, weather-based pest forecasts and findings from citizen scientists.
Speakers
Steven Jacobs – Co-ordinator, Organic Growers Alliance
Steven has been working in food and farming for 30+ years. In 2025 he left his role as development manager at Organic Farmers & Growers to take up the full time post of Co-ordinator for the OGA. A co-founder of UK Grain Lab, and the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference, Steven is co-deputy chair of the Welsh Organic Forum, and chair of the UK Fruit & Veg. Coalition.
Andy Dibben – Head Grower, Abbey Home Farm
Andy has been working in organic horticulture for 17 years and is Head Grower at Abbey Home Farm. Over the last year 8 years he has integrated trees into Glasshouse, Market Garden, and Fieldscale veg production areas and recently co-authored a book ‘Silvohorticulture’ with Ben Raskin.
Professor Rosemary Collier – University of Warwick
Rosemary’s main research interest is in the development and application of Integrated Pest Management strategies for horticultural crops. Areas of research include application of novel pesticides and biopesticides, biological control, host-plant resistance (in collaboration with colleagues at Warwick (VeGIN (warwick.ac.uk)), methods of physical control and approaches that influence pests through increased plant diversity in the cropping system (companion planting, intercropping, trap crops, conservation biocontrol).
Dave Barfoot – Head grower Tyninghame Community Farm.
With 10 years of growing experience, Dave first started on larger farms and field scale growing, then scaling down to a two acre CSA in 2022. Dave is the Head Grower at Tyninghame Community Farm in East Lothian, where he manages a veg box scheme and wholesale customer base on a 2 acre Community Farm.
Agenda
1pm – Introduction from Steven Jacobs
1.10pm – Andy Dibben: Andy will cover a range of strategies employed at Abbey Home Farm looking at biodiversity, a plant’s natural defences, rotation, economic benefit and why he prefers to use the term Natural Pest Management
1.30pm – Rosemary Collier: Rosemary will cover some of the latest research in IPM and how this can be utilised by growers
1.45pm – Dave Barfoot: Dave will share the practical ways he integrates IPM on a small site that’s always tight on space. Sharing tips and tricks for integrating IPM into small operations
2pm – Audience Q&A
2.30pm – Close
