The concept of Regenerative Agriculture is successfully engaging the agricultural community, food industry and policy makers to consider how to utilise agricultural land to maximise the delivery of ecosystem services.
There is no single definition of “regenerative agriculture”, with interpretations varying between practitioners; but it can broadly be defined as “an approach to farming that uses soil conservation as the entry point to regenerate and contribute to the delivery of food production and other ecosystem services”.
In practice, regenerative agriculture can be broken down into 5 key principles:
1) reduced soil disturbance;
2) retention of green cover;
3) retention of living roots in the soil;
4) crop diversification and
5) integration of livestock into rotations.
It is recognised that there is a need to bring together the scientific evidence supporting the implementation of regenerative agriculture, to help evaluate the potential benefits and challenges for food production, the environment and farm profitability, across different agroclimatic zones and farming systems. This conference will bring together researchers, consultants, farmers, agronomists and students to share research findings.
The conference will include sessions on the above listed topics and subject area, and will conclude with a panel discussion which we hope will include farming representatives. The objective of the panel discussion will be to challenge scientists to work with farmers, in order to help develop the evidence base to support and justify the transition into regenerative agriculture. Sessions will be built around topics that are linked to the principles of regenerative agriculture.
Invited speakers and Panel members:
- Lizzie Sagoo, Soil Scientist, ADAS Sustainable Agriculture Systems.
- Alastair Leake, Director of Policy, The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
- Ruth Wade, Research Fellow, University of Leeds Emily Padfield, Nuffield Scholar
- David Blacker, Yorkshire Farmer Fergus Younger, Scottish Farmer with SAOS
- Julian Gold, Yorkshire Farmer with the Hendred Estate. Supported by the British Society of Soil Science
Register here - Registration and Fees - Regenerative Agriculture – Understanding the opportunities and challenges (cvent.com)
Members of the British Society of Soil Science are eligible for a discount on tickets and should select the appropriate 'AAB Member' rate to redeem the discount. Registration deadline for in-person attendees is April 10th 2023.
