Farming

SOIL: Knowing what you’ve got & making it work for you

A practical ifnormative meeting with James Bretherton, Agscope looking at the most vital asset on your farm - soil. Discussing soil analysis, physical soil assessment, taking appropriate remedial action & answering your soil related questions.

The event includes a Bring-Your-Own soil & soil analysis hands on session.

Horticulture: a one-day course for crofters and other small producers

A practical one-day event looking at soils, fertilisers and rotations for horticultural crops.

The day will include outdoor practical sessions including soil physical assessment, crop rotations for polytunnels, and placement of windbreaks and shelters.

Speakers include Audrey Litterick (Audrey Litterick Consulting) and Donald Murdie (Gatrigill), authors of Horticulture: A Handbook for Crofters.  

Booking is required for catering purposes.

Trees: a crop with multiple benefits - managing & planting for improved livestock & arable production

A practical day looking at the benefits of agroforestry:

  • how to manage existing woodland for livestock
  • planting for optimum arable production
  • funding sources
  • an introduction to the Woodland Trust.

Speakers include Stephen Briggs, Abacus Organics; Mike Strachan, Forestry Commission Scotland and Woodland Trust.

Trees: a crop with multiple benefits - managing & planting for improved livestock & arable production

A practical day looking at the benefits of agroforestry:

  • how to manage existing woodland for livestock
  • planting for optimum arable production
  • funding sources
  • an introduction to the Woodland Trust.

Speakers include Stephen Briggs, Abacus Organics; Mike Strachan, Forestry Commission Scotland and Woodland Trust.

Grassland: managing soils & weeds

This event will look at practical soil management and sustainable weed control.

The day will include a visit to a croft followed by a Bring-Your-Own soils workshop and question and answer session.

Speakers include independent consultant, Ian Cairns.

Booking is required for catering purposes.

Contact David on 0131 666 2474 or dmichie@soilassociation.org for more info.

Farm diversification event

An event hosted by Kelvin Valley & Falkirk LEADER on farm diversification. This event aims to raise awareness in farm diversification opportunities for farmers in the local area.

There will be presentations from local farming businesses that have successfully diversified along with an opportunity to find out more about how to apply for support for farm diversification from the LEADER programme- grants of up to £25,000 are available for eligible activities. Sandwiches, tea and coffee will be served. 

The RSPB Scotland Nature of Scotland Awards 2016 are now open for entries.

There are eight award categories, with each one recognising a different aspect of conservation work. And this year there are two new categories - the Food and Farming Award, and the Corporate Awards.

The award categories are:

The rural charity RSABI is inviting teams to take part in this year's Great Glen Challenge.

The annual multi-sports team building event raises vital funds to help RSABI continue its work to alleviate hardship among Scotland's land-based workforce.

Rural Manifesto event - Cairngorms

Take part in one of the Scottish Rural Parliament's Rural Manifesto 2016 events and fill in the blank pages together with all of rural Scotland!

The Manifesto will be a statement of collective ambitions and the actions that are needed to ensure these ambitions are realised for all of our rural communities.

Refreshments will be provided.

Rural Manifesto event - Lerwick, Shetland

Take part in one of the Scottish Rural Parliament's Rural Manifesto 2016 events and fill in the blank pages together with all of rural Scotland!

The Manifesto will be a statement of collective ambitions and the actions that are needed to ensure these ambitions are realised for all of our rural communities.

Refreshments will be provided.

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