Agricology Blog

As the facilitator of the 'Experts in Your Field' project, I've witnessed first-hand how small-scale farmers are reclaiming their rightful place at the helm of agroecological research, with findings that could transform how we approach farming's biggest challenges....

On 12 February I attended the annual BASE-UK conference in Newcastle. The day was filled with a range of inspiring and informative talks that covered topics including living mulches, on-farm research, strip till in horticulture and building on-farm resilience.

The aim was to hold a practical event demonstrating techniques to restore soil health and sharing knowledge and experience between local farmers and farm managers working at a range of scales in the catchment.

"We can’t be growers championing our sustainable production and continue using peat. The issues at stake - biodiversity loss and the loss of carbon - are just too great..."

Agricology's Farm Engagement Officer Matt Smee reflects on his experience of the ORFC (2023) and its contribution to helping build a resilient, equitable and sustainable farming system...

How can the farming industry be efficient, sustainable and proactive, whilst maintaining profitability, regenerating biodiversity and contributing to ambitious carbon Net Zero targets at national and global level? This is, quite literally, the billion dollar question on many farmers’ lips at the moment - and as the sector comes under increasing pressure to evidence its environmental contribution, it’s a question that’s becoming ever more urgent.

PhD student is looking for farmers to fill out a survey designed to help understand the potential of rhizobial inoculants.

A joint industry and Research Council funded project looking at how to reintegrate sheep into arable systems for the improvement of soil quality is seeking help from arable farmers.

In 1992 I started my career as a newly fledged post-doc working on the Integrated Farming Systems project and so have been intrigued to see the rising interest in regenerative agriculture. But what is it, and is it any different to integrated farming that has been promoted by organisations such as LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) since its establishment 1991?

Ploughing has received bad press in some organic farming circles due to the higher fuel requirements and the fact that it buries soil organisms and green material at too great a depth. The perennial questions are: should we plough and if so how deep?

Jez Taylor, head of Daylesford market garden, shares his recipe for making compost.

The growing season has, without a doubt, already presented us with some significant challenges and, while recent government advice has altered the way that the Kings team is communicating with customers, we are still very much available to offer technical advice and recommendations to support your crop strategy and wider business.