The Soil Association is holding a series of webinars for all farmers, as part of the Innovative Farmers events programme: a research network sponsored by the organic group, LEAF, Elm Farm Research Centre and others, which promotes farmers working together and translating research findings into tangible improvements for their businesses through ‘field labs’, a concept which first gained traction in South America.

Farmers in the network get research support and funding to conduct work on their own terms, as part of a collaborative effort. The aim of the project is to challenge the top-down nature of the current research agenda. According to the Soil Association, the network “Helps farmers find lasting solutions to practical problems, from managing weeds and pests with fewer chemicals to testing more sustainable animal feeds.”
 
Over the last three years, 750 farmers have been involved in field labs and investigated 35 different topics, including anything from reducing antibiotic use in dairy to methods to control blackgrass.

The new webinars share useful knowledge and learnings from Innovative Farmers field labs and participants to farmers across the country. Webinars are free to members of Innovative Farmers.
 
So far webinars have included comparisons of different yields in crop production, the benefits of agroforestry, soil improvement techniques including how to successfully use green manures and tips on how to access additional funding, like the European Innovation Partnership.
 
Phil Moore of the Ecological Land Co-op took part in 'Making the most of green manures' with Ian Wilkinson (Managing Director, Cotswold Seeds). Phil said; “It was packed with really useful info and really well facilitated. I had never participated in a webinar so am excited to do more! Ian’s passion, knowledge and humility really came across.”
 
Upcoming webinars:

• Soil Life: What is it and what can it do for you? WEBINAR: Thursday, 17 March and again on Thursday 31 March 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Presenter: Matthew Shepherd
• Climate Smart Agriculture WEBINAR: Friday 1 April, 1.30-2.30pm Presenter: Professor Pete Smith
• Improving efficiency in agriculture WEBINAR: Tuesday 17 May, 1.30 - 2.30pm Presenter: Adam Quinney
• Getting started with social media WEBINAR: Friday 10 June 2016 1:30 - 2:30 PM Presenter: Hayley Coristine
• Soil fertility in organic agriculture WEBINAR: Wednesday 20 July, 1.30 - 2.30pm Presenter: Prof Dr Urs Niggli
• Using compost to build and maintain soil health WEBINAR: Wednesday 10 August, 1.30 - 2.30pm Presenter: Prof. Michael Raviv
• Fighting for fish, fishing and soil WEBINAR: Tuesday 11 October, 1.30 - 2.30pm Presenter: Mark Lloyd

All webinars are free for members of Innovative Farmers, £15 + vat for Soil Association license holders/producer members or £35 + vat for all other delegates.
 
To find out more about Innovative Farmers go to innovativefarmers.org