Soil Workshop with Symbiosis Soil Lab

This is part of a series of specialist soil workshops that will introduce farmers and landowners to the basics of soil microbiology, and the practical steps that you can take to improve soil health. The workshop will include an on-farm walk, live soil sample analysis, and discussions on the science behind soil health.

Soil Workshop: Led by Symbiosis Soil Lab, an innovative mobile laboratory, this workshop will introduce you to soil microbiology and the benefits of soil biodiversity. Symbiosis Soil Lab operates the only known Soil Microbiology Food Web Mobile Lab and they specialise in regenerating life into soils.

Will Luke from the Apricot Centre CIC, will be leading a session on the basics of soil microbiology: explaining how microbes evolve and their relationships to each other, and the help we can give them by creating an environment where they can thrive.

This workshop is hosted in collaboration with the Apricot Centre CIC, a 67-acre mixed farm in South Devon providing both biodynamic/organic food to 300 households through box scheme and regular market stall. Their aim is to inspire by providing opportunities for free training and business support for land workers and farms with a yearly student cohort of 180+ students.

Farm Walk: Martyn Bragg will show us around Shilingford Organics which has been Organic since 1998, growing 50 acres of organic veg and employing 10 FTEs. It grows arable crops in a stockless rotation; however it also started growing vegetables 25 years ago and now that is the major part of the farm. It started planting an agroforestry system in 2002 and now has over 400 apple trees as well as other top fruit.

The vegetables are grown in a 5 or 6 year rotations growing many types of veg, salad and herbs.

Being so near Exeter they aim to sell produce direct to local people through their veg box scheme/online shop and various Farmers markets. They also supply other box schemes and small local food retailers. To achieve this they grow crops 52 weeks of the year, with a wide range of produce.

It is totally dependent on healthy soils for it to thrive.

Timings

10:00-10:30 – Arrival and Registration

10:30-10:45 – Introduction to Shillingford; farm practice and activities

10:45-11:00 – Introduction to Soil Microbes by the Apricot Centre and the Symbiosis Soil Lab

11:00-12:30 – Farm Walk & Live Soil Analysis

12:30- 13:30 – Lunch

13:30-15:00 – Farm Walk & Live Soil Analysis continued

15:00-15:30 – Q&A and Event End

1:1 Soil Consultancy with Symbiosis Soil Lab  

Attendees will have the opportunity to apply for a fully funded 1:1 consultancy with Symbiosis Soil Lab following the completion of an Expression of Interest Form which will be provided at the workshop and an electric copy emailed following attendance.

Eligibility 

This workshop is available to any farmer or land manager in Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall, or the Isles of Scilly currently in receipt of BPS payments.

To be eligible to participate in the Future Farming Resilience project and receive subsequent 1:1 support or attend further workshops, you will be required to complete a Monitoring Information form. Forms will be provided by your advisor, at a workshop, or emailed to you after an online workshop. Please ensure forms are completed swiftly. Please be aware that BIP may limit further access to specialist workshops or 1:1 advice, if the form is not completed.

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