Free workshops for farmers in Nidderdale

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is hosting a series of free workshops for AONB farmers and land managers in the coming months. The workshops include practical help on…

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is hosting a series of free workshops for AONB farmers and land managers in the coming months.

The workshops include practical help on farming from leading experts.

Matt Trevelyan, Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer at the AONB, said: “These workshops provide a fantastic opportunity to receive help and advice on a range of topics, from farm accounts, soil health and pond construction to regenerative grazing practices – there really is something for everybody”.

The series begins on 19 October with farm consultant, Mel Holloway, at Darley Memorial Hall. ‘Reaping the Financial Rewards of Good Soil Health’ offers technical advice on soil, manure, carbon and nutrient management as well as a demonstration on how to assess soil health. Good soil health can reduce costs.

The workshop will also provide advice for farmers on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) improved grassland soil standard.

As part of the AONB’s longer term Soil Health Project, Mel will continue to work alongside 10 farmers over the next year to develop farm action plans, sample soil carbon and help farmers utilize greenhouse gas calculators.

On 2 November at Home Farm in Risplith near Ripon from 10am, Niels Corfield, an independent agricultural consultant in both arable and grassland systems, will look at ‘Reducing Nitrogen Costs’.

Synthetic Nitrogen fertiliser costs are high and are a major contribution to climate change. Niels will explain how to reduce nitrogen dependency, increase profits and maintain respectable yields.

The workshop is part of the Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) partnership, and Farming Officers, Marian Wilby and Claire Foster will provide the CSF perspective, free CSF advice offers and details of potential grants available.

On 9 November, there is an ‘Autumn Review of the Darley Beck Curlew Project’ from 10am at Darley Memorial Hall. Clive White and ecologist Jackie Longrigg-Smith will present findings from year one of the project.

Then 11 and 12 November see day-long accredited courses from 9am till 4pm in ‘Agricultural Bookkeeping & Management Accounts’, hosted at Pavilions of Harrogate.

Delivered by founding partner at Agricultural Business Training, Christine Thompson, it’s an opportunity to update and review financial and record keeping practices.

Christine has worked within farm business administration her whole life and is passionate about helping family farms get to grips with farm finances.

On 16 November at the Mechanics Institute in Kirkby Malzeard, Niels Corfield delivers a full day ‘Grazing Workshop’ from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Niels, a regenerative agriculture consultant, will advise on whole farm planning, maximising forage potential, saving work and monitoring results. Many local farmers are impressed by Niels’ ability to convey the basic principles of soil health and regenerative farming in a way that sheds new light on a familiar subject.

Arnside & Silverdale AONB are also hosting Niels’ ‘Regenerative Soils’ course on the 19 November, which is open to farmers from Nidderdale AONB to attend (email farming@arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk for more details).

There will also be an online course on ‘Pond Creation’ on 24 November at 12pm. This session, run by project partner Anne Carter, Northern England Regional Officer for the Freshwater Habitats Trust, will look at the initial steps in pond design and creation as well as the key principles of pond design for wildlife.

All events are all free to attend, with lunch provided at the live workshops, although registration is required in advance as spaces are limited.

For full details and to register go to: https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/events/  

For the Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Workshops, please contact marian.wilby@harrogate.gov.uk directly.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Details of workshops in full:

Reaping the Financial Rewards of Good Soil Health

Wednesday 19th October, 10:00am to 2:30pm

Darley Memorial Hall.

The workshop, led by farm consultant Mel Holloway, will form the first part of the AONB’s longer term Soil Health Project, and will include technical advice on soil, manure, carbon and nutrient management as well as a demonstration on how to assess soil health.

Mel will continue to work alongside 10 farmers over the next year to develop farm action plans, sample soil carbon and help farmers utilize greenhouse gas calculators.

Building good soil health can mean a reduction in costs and less reliance on inputs. The workshop will also provide advice for farmers on the SFI improved grassland soil standard (Sustainable Farming Incentive).

Catchment Sensitive Farming

Reducing Nitrogen Costs – wondering how and what you are going to do?

Wednesday 2nd November, 10:00am to 2:30pm

G & T’s, Home Farm, Risplith, Ripon HG4 3EP

Synthetic Nitrogen fertiliser costs are very likely to remain high and are a major contribution to climate change. Niels Corfield will explain how to reduce nitrogen dependency, increase profits, maintain respectable yields and what the challenges are. Reducing nitrogen inputs reduces farm carbon footprint, improves the environment and helps with NVZ compliance.

Niels Corfield is an independent agricultural consultant in both arable and grassland systems. He is focussed on systems that are sustainable, low maintenance and productive. He has conducted cover crops trials on arable and horticulture operations in the UK, and carries out on-farm soil assessments, advising on soil health, planned grazing, agroforestry and whole farm planning.

Catchment Sensitive Farming officers, Marian Wilby & Claire Foster will provide the CSF

perspective, free CSF advice offers & details of potential grants available.

To register for the meeting please call 07713 333187 or email

marian.wilby@harrogate.gov.uk by Monday 31st October for catering

purposes. Please state any dietary requirements.

Keep the Date: Wednesday 7th December for a follow up CSF event at Green Hammerton.

Autumn Review of the Darley Beck Curlew Project

Wednesday 9th November, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Darley Memorial Hall

Clive White and ecologist Jackie Longrigg-Smith will present findings from year one of the project and propose targeted habitat management plans for year 2. The event is open to interested farmers and landowners.

Agricultural Bookkeeping & Management Accounts

Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November, 9:00am to 4:00pm

Pavilions of Harrogate

This accredited course, run by Christine Thompson; founding partner at Agricultural Business Training, provides an opportunity to update and review financial recording and record keeping practices.

Christine has worked within farm business administration her whole life and is passionate about helping family farms get to grips with farm finances.

Grazing Workshop with Niels Corfield

Saturday 16th November, 9:30am to 4:30pm

Mechanics Institute, Kirkby Malzeard

Niels, a regenerative agriculture consultant, will advise on whole farm planning, maximising forage potential, saving work and monitoring results.

The land management team at the AONB, along with many local farmers are impressed by Niels ability to convey the basic principles of soil health and regenerative farming in a way that sheds new light on a familiar subject.

For those who missed it last time Arnside & Silverdale AONB are hosting Niel’s Regenerative Soils course on the 18th November and farmers from Nidderdale AONB are welcome to attend. Email farming@arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk for more details.

Saving Nidderdale’s Priority Ponds – Pond Creation

Thursday 24th November, 12:00pm

Online

New pond creation is arguably the most ecologically valid of all methods for maintaining pond communities. Creation of new ponds mimic the age–old process of natural pond formation; new sites which then pass through a range of successional stages, all of which are used by freshwater life. This session, run by project partner Anne Carter, Northern England Regional Officer for the Freshwater Habitats Trust, will look at the initial steps in pond design and creation as well as the key principles of pond design for wildlife.

This session is aimed at those involved in designing, creating and constructing ponds in the wider landscape. A similar session aimed at smaller scale pond design will run in the new year.

Registration

Nidderdale AONB events are all free to attend, but you must register in advance as spaces are limited. Lunch will be provided at all live events (except at the Curlew Meeting).

For the Catchment Sensitive Farming Workshops, please contact marian.wilby@harrogate.gov.uk directly.

To register for all the rest and a number of other events, please visit: https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/events/