Join our South West England Member Network for their annual spring event that will focus on agroforestry and the North Devon Silvopasture Trials.

This event will be led by Andy Gray who has been heavily involved in a trial project involving farmers and the Rothamsted Research Farm in Devon, in collaboration with the Organic Research Centre, Woodland Trust, FWAG and others. During this event, members will hear about the planning-what species, planting design and the enterprise that is being complemented by having trees in a farmed landscape. The event will also consider the issues around establishments and what non-foresters have learned, as well as the wider benefits and problems of embarking on this. What can foresters do to support farmers develop these systems, how do we change farmers mindsets and what is the future?

Also speaking at the event is Ellen Smith and Mick Bracken from the Woodland Trust. The Woodland Trust helped design and fund the North Devon Silvopasture Trials that involves seven farm businesses across varied livestock systems in Devon and aims to analyse all aspects of silvopastoral benefits to farmers, from soil health to biodiversity improvement and animal health. Ellen will discuss the various other agroforestry projects she has been involved with as part of the Woodland Trust’s Trees for your Farm project, and a pilot project working with Sainsbury’s suppliers.

With indoor presentations and a site visit in the afternoon, this event will cover a varied range of methods of integrating trees into farming systems which will be valuable as examples for any practitioner looking to expand their range of agroforestry advice.

Lunch will be provided.

Please note that bookings will close on Tuesday 10 May at 23:59.

Speakers

Mick Bracken - Outreach Adviser, Woodland Trust

Andy Gray - Farmer and Managing Director, MC Kelly

Ellen Smith - Outreach Adviser, Woodland Trust