GO Falkland Programme 2024
With 4 Discussion & Presentation Tents, Demonstrations, Breakout Sessions, Exhibitors & More.
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DAY 1 - Wednesday 17th July: Big Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
9 - 9.30am | Big Tent | GO Falkland, Fife, Scotland: What to look out for in the field? | What is GO all about? What are the changes and qualities of transformation we find in the regenerative field? Awareness, Attitude, Action | Joanna Bowen & John Cherry, Co-founders at Groundswell Johnnie Balfour, Balbirnie Home Farm Ninian Stuart, Falkland Rural Enterprises Ltd Jim Carruth, Poet in Residence |
9:45- 10:45 am | Big Tent | Think Global, Act Local: Nutrient Density : Causes, Connections, Implications and Opportunities | Fresh from Groundswell, Dan’s looking at more than 25 crops across Europe and the US (2017-2022) and beef globally from 2021-24 | Dan Kittredge (US) Bionutrients Institute The Bionutrient Institute is working to characterise nutritional variation in food, assessing its causal factors and developing hand held consumer priced instruments to assess it. |
11 - 11.45am | Big Tent | How can we become a Good Food Nation? | What is the journey we’re on? Nationally, regionally and locally
| Mairi Gougeon Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands, Prof Mary Brennan, Scottish Food Coalition Fife Council’s Cllr Jan Wincott (Environment/Climate Change) & Pamela Stevenson (Service Mgr, Economic Dvmt), Jo-Anne Valentine NHS Fife & local farmers |
12-1pm | Big Tent | Farmers Journeys | Regenerative Farming in Scotland. What works, what and what doesn’t? Lessons learnt from 3 farmers and a soil scientist with years of experience between them. | Doug Christie is an organic farmer nr Leven Elizabeth Massie, mixed farmer (E Lothian) Dr Joanna Cloy, Soil Scientist (Fidra) David Aglen, Balibirnie Home farm, Fife |
1.30pm | Big Tent | The Times They Are A Changing | Throughout 2024 Ted is travelling around Scotland ‘time capsuling’ our rapidly changing urban and rural landscapes. Exploring extractive and regenerative land uses and the tensions between biodiversity, community, climate, society and commercial needs, the talk asks how generational change passes almost unnoticed. Who are the audiences we need to message and interventions required if we’re to deliver positive future solutions. | Ted Leeming is an award-winning artist based in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. He is drawn to the beauty of the natural world and the interactions and consequences of human activities therein. He is motivated by the cultural narratives that have led to the twin existential emergencies we currently face, the new thinking required to deliver urgent change, and the photograph's role in realising this. |
2- 3.30pm | Big Tent | Solving the Land Use Jigsaw (SEDA Land) | This SEDA Land event on integrated land use could help shape Scottish Govt's delivery plan for a Third Land Use Strategy 2021-26 Join our expert panel representing different sectors and regions. As always we will be led by the science with two scientists talking about a new tool for assessing land uses in terms of a matrix of measurements and an approach to landscape planning that integrates social and ecological elements | Lucy Filby, Head of Agriculture & Forestry Transition, SOSE with Artistic pieces: newly commissioned work performed by poets Sophie Cooke and Chris Powici and cellist Jessica Kerr who will be joined by violinists Kirsty Orton and Aaron McGregor |
4-5.30pm | Big Tent | Good Food Regions | In these challenging times, what happens when we place food at the centre of the regeneration of our regions? | Jenny Andersson, Really Regenerative CIC Phil Haughton MBE Better Food Bristol Abi Mordin, Propagate Carolyn Bell, Food4Fife Pieter Ploeg, Commonland & 4 Returns |
DAY 1 - Wednesday 17th July: Water Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
9-10am | Water Tent | Enterprise Stacking | 'Enterprise Stacking' refers to integrating multiple enterprises on the same area of land to maximise output and land use efficiency, increase animal diversity and resilience for rural businesses with more people working on the land. | Colin and Jill Russel run Ramstane Farm, using holistic management. Rosie Jack, Business Development Manager at Balcaskie Estate Jo Hunt, Crofter & Market Gardener |
10 am 1050 am | Water Tent | Radical Retail | Unfairness is cemented into the current retail market place. So how can people develop local markets with fair prices for citizens, farmers and growers using ecological and regenerative methods? | Phil Haughton MBE of Better Foods, Bristol Scott Erwin of GreenCity Wholefoods |
11am - 12pm | Water Tent | Mob Grazing: The Numbers | Pasture for Life members: Heather Close and Robert Brewster share how they have developed their approach from their initial adoption, with a particular focus from a numbers point of view, in regard to: stocking densities, mob sizes, pasture utilisation, recovery times, rotation lengths, age and weight of stock at finishing. | Robert Brewster, livestock organic farmer. Heather Close, runs a suckler herd of around 45 Aberdeen Angus and Traditional Hereford cows over 117Ha. Jamie Jack, Scotland Regional Manager of Pasture for Life Edward Baxter, regenerative farmer at Gilston. Poppy Frater, (SAC/SRUC) PhD student investigating if mob grazing is beneficial to soil health and environment.. |
1-2pm | Water Tent | An Organic Story on Falkland Estate | Sharing the journey and lessons of organic agriculture on Falkland Estate from 1983 to the present, reflecting on how it is now – what’s working or not working and exploring what the future scenarios might be? | Hosted by Adam Forrest, Organics Development Officer, Scottish Food & Drink with Ninian Stuart, Falkland Estate Trust; David Atkinson previous chair of Falkland Rural Enterprises Ltd; Robin Nisbet Home Farm Manager, Nat Dixon & Bryde Marshall Falkland Kitchen Farm; and Frank Morgan, Farm Manager at Pillars of Hercules |
3-4pm | Water Tent | Choosing livestock – what matters, the species, the breed or the deed? | What are the reasons behind farming choices & breeding decisions? Can this be applied to farming systems from small holdings to wilding projects to transition to lower input, sustainable or nature friendly systems | Christopher Price, CEO Rare Breeds Survival Trust: Serena Sykes, Vet and Traditional Hereford breeder Rosemary Champion - Sheep Breeder Martin Beard - Pig Breeder |
4.30 -5.30pm | Water tent | Integrating Livestock & Arable | With rising input costs, several farmers are opting to integrate livestock into their arable cropping and rotations to build fertility and crop resilience without costly fertiliser applications and additional machinery use. What are the merits and the challenges experienced in these practices? | Chaired by Johnnie Balfour, Balbirnie Home Farm with Colin MacDiarmid, Strathmore Farming Co, in Glamis, Angus. Kit Marshall, Farm Manager at Kincardine Estate, Aberdeenshire. Farming with regenerative practices .Christine Watson, Associate Dean, Scotland's Rural College. |
DAY 1 - Wednesday 17th July, Soil Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
9-10am | Soil Tent | Farming in a climate of change - Farming for soil and water health | Through the lens of the whole farm plan - due to be brought in as part of the upcoming agricultural reform in Tier 1 - hear from two farmers dealing with the rapidly shifting environment of climate change, changing legislation and subsidy systems which impact their farm's socio-economic outlook. The panel will also touch on how they are preparing for the draft measures proposed in Tier 2. | Ruth Ashton-Shaw, a new entrant farmer. Matt Griffin, Neidpath Farms near Peebles. A 2500 acre site covering 4 upland farms. |
11am - 12pm | Soil Tent | Farming and water; moving towards a more regenerative approach | After one of the wettest Scottish winters in memory whilst some farmers are facing near drought conditions already, how do we adapt to new understandings of our climate and begin to work with our water cycles regeneratively. The session explores the damage and impact on farm productivity and wider society, outlining alternative approaches and practices, help and ideas. | Ian Davis, environmental professional, retired beef cattle breeder & volunteer water environment advisor. Alister Leggatt, Catchment and Biodiversity Manager at Affinity Water, responsible for catchment and nature-based solutions to create resilient water supply and food production,. Lyn White, Forestry and Farming Development Officer at Scottish Forestry since 2019. Promoting a more integrated approach to farming and forestry. Cees Kamp, Water-researcher, inventor, co-creator at What is Water? |
1-2pm | Soil Tent | Net Zero Farming | Farming on a Net Zero basis is a challenge which will require the adoption of new practices and technologies. Following a regenerative agriculture approach may go some way to achieving this. What do we do about livestock emissions and fertiliser use, how can this be achieved whilst maintaining yield? | Chair: Ken Loades, JHI Phil Burgess, Independent, on Net Zero opportunities in the potato industry Robert Ramsay, Soil Essentials and farmer. Julian Bell, Agrecalc David Ross, SAC consulting |
3-4pm | Soil Tent | Farm-Scale Compost, not just for gardeners! | Compost, as a fertility builder, and soil remediator, could play a huge role in our food production systems in horticulture, livestock and arable production systems. We’ll discuss the applicability of compost on a farm scale, covering 10s and 100s of ha, rather than a few garden beds and practices the panellists are trialling in order to achieve this. | Philip Sheane, regenerative farmer of 44 ha in Fife in 2022 with his family. Elizabeth Massie is an arable and livestock farmer with a good level of biodiversity on the family farm. |
4.30- 5.30pm | Soil Tent | Rewilding | What does “rewilding” mean to different people? We will hear experiences of rewilding (from the return of native breeds to more radical experiments such as bringing back beavers or aurochs into existence) as well as restoration of native flora & fauna to Scotland’s landscapes. Participants will be invited to reflect on the impacts on nature, and feelings of people towards it. | Keira Oliver (host) with Simoon Fransen, boardmember Grazelands Rewilding, co-founder Creabitat (Ecovillage), beekeeper, equine assisted coach, trainer, consultant and professional hobby farmer Louise & Sophie Ramsay’s family run a rewilding estate in Perthshire, with a richly biodiverse area of wild land. Christopher Price, CEO of Rare Breeds Survival Trust: securing the future of our rare & native breeds of farm livestock. |
DAY 1 - Wednesday 17th July: Tree Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
9 - 10am | Tree tent | NATIVE – the role of local provenance tree nurseries in Scotland | Why is sourcing native trees important when planting new farm woodland? Join us tol explore the role and importance of local provenance tree nurseries in Scotland and the UK, how locally sourced trees can increase resilience in woodlands; and lived experience of establishing a nursery, sourcing seed, and building networks. | Chair: Colleen McCulloch, Soil Association Scotland, Speakers: Craig Shearer, Darroch Nurseries, Phil Knott, Drumfearn Trees. Jon Haines, Soil Association. |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
11 -12pm | Tree tent | Aligning sustainability accreditation through the supply chain | With multiple accreditation organisations across the supply chain, farmers potentially report on multiple metrics: carbon; biodiversity; ecosystem services and functions; and more; which can be a burden and a barrier to supply. How can reporting be normalised across the supply chain and what scope is there for collaborative approaches across the supply chain. | Ken Loades, James Hutton Institute Celine Delabre, NatureScot David Ross,SAC David Bell Julian Bell, Agrecalc |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
1 - 2 pm | Tree tent | Green Finance For Trees | Do you wonder if green finance might be an option for your farm, but not sure where to start? We will explore some of the schemes available to land managers in Scotland, how they work, hear a farmer’s perspective and cover elements like carbon, biodiversity credits and other natural capital. Bring your questions! | Chair: Gareth Philips, Scottish Forestry Speakers: Billie Golden, Scottish Forestry Dr Eleanor Harris, Galbraith. Iain Moss, Woodland Trust Scotland |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
3 -4pm | Tree tent | Integrating trees on farms: Why wood you & how do ewe? | Hear from hosts of the Integrating Trees Network - how and why they have planted trees on their farm/croft, their objectives, challenges and all round benefits. Including from shade to shelter, increased productivity, new income streams, timber, increased biodiversity and plans for the future. | Andrew Adamson, Netherurd Home Farm, West Linton Phil Knott, Wildlife Croft, Drumfearn, Skye Roger Howison, Parkhill Farm, Newburgh. |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
4.30 - 5.30pm | Tree tent | Designing an Agroforestry System | Join us for an interactive discussion about the process and elements of designing a new agroforestry system, including key principles, design for multiple outcomes, species choice, and grant support. Two farmers will share their experiences integrating trees into arable and livestock systems, and answer questions. | Chair: Ben Raskin, Soil Association Speakers: Roger Howison, Parkhill Farm, Jon Haines, Soil Association, Gareth Phillips, Scottish Forestry |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
Day 1 Wednesday 17th July: Pillars of Hercules (10 minutes walk) | ||||
Time | Tent | Session title | Session description | Speakers |
Delicious Vegetarian Lunches available | ||||
2.30pm | Pillars | Pillars Market Garden: Now & Next | After 41 yrs, Pillars’ remarkable founder (Bruce) decided to sell. In this session, the farm team Bruce recruited share their evolving thoughts & plans.. Plus visit to polytunnels, crops & fields. | Frank Morgan, Pillars of Hercules farm manager David Stewart, Market gardener & grower Fi Petrie, Market gardener & grower |
6-9pm | Pillars | Food & Bar | Gathering for food and drink in the orchard | |
DAY 2 - Thursday 18th July: Big Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Title | Session | Speakers |
9-10am | Big Tent | Soil Health from the bottom up and top down | Think Global, Act Local: Soil Health from the bottom up & top down | Joel Williams, International plant & soil health educator – with a taste for Scotland |
10.30 - 11.30am | Big Tent | Farmers Journeys Vital Voices in Regenerative Agriculture across Scotland | Regenerative Farming in Scotland. What works and what doesn’t? Lessons learnt from 3 farmers with years of experience. | Alex Brewster, Rottmell Farm Denise Walton, Pelham Farm David Finlay, The Ethical Dairy |
12.00 - 12.45 pm | Big Tent | Arise! Songs & stories for the bread revolution | The story of wheat’s journey through history with humans, from wild grass to commodity grain. It tells of refinement, adulteration and the hope of redemption | Courtesy of Scotland the Bread The Breadagogues
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1.15 - 2.30pm | Big Tent | Preparing the ground for a regenerative economy | How can farmers and growers rise to the multiple challenges of feeding people, restoring nature, fair work, climate crisis and meeting the bottom line? | Chaired by Charlotte Millar, Strategist, with inspiration & provocations by; Toby Anstruther: Landowner/entrepreneur at Balcaskie Estate & Bowhouse Market Robert Barbour: Sustainable Food Trust & Lead author of Could Britain Feed itself? Prof Simon Pearson, Founding Director of Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food technology Melanie Rieback: Founder of Post-Growth Start-Up incubator, Non-profit ventures |
3.00 - 4.00pm | Big Tent | Turning policies into practice | With the new Agriculture Bill and Good Food Nation Bill agreed, how will the relationship between producers, researchers, customers and policy makers determine success or failure? How can we work together to resolve challenging issues that arise, as they will… | Chaired by Prof Mary Brennan, Scottish Food Coalition & Chair of Food Marketing & Society at Edinburgh University with: Heather Kelman, Chair, Food Standards Scotland Prof Wendy Russell, Rowett Institute William Houstoun, Farmer European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture. |
4.30- 5.45pm | Big Tent | Plenary Preparing to GO forward… | What have we learnt? Next steps… What are we taking back to our homes, farms, villages, towns, regions and networks?
| Hosted by Jackie Thoms, Anna Chworow of Nourish, Keira Oliver and others |
5.45pm | Big Tent | Completion | The finale – Pipes, poems and progress | |
18.00 | Big Tent | Home sweet home - close of the day | ||
DAY 2 - Thursday 18th July: Water Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
9-10am | Water Tent | Bale Grazing in Practice - Livestock Out-Wintering | Four farmers, with various levels of experience, discuss how they have used bale grazing to out-winter cattle, improve soil, plant and animal health, and the benefits this has brought to their farms and to improve their own management practices. | Jamie Jack, Scotland Regional Manager of Pasture for Life .Stuart and Kate Mitchell run the organic and Pasture for Life certified Whitriggs Farm, Hawick.Tom and May McIntyre run regenerative livestock farm Milton of Tulliemet, near Pitlochry. |
10 - 10.50am | Water Tent | 4 Returns as a framework for farms & estates | 4 Returns is a model to help farms & estates to address the many challenges that lead to land degradation… · Loss of hope · Social networks · Biodiversity · Economic value | Pieter Ploeg is a Design Strategist & Facilitator with Commonland And co-founder of Terranu, a regenerative learning farm in Waterford, Ireland |
11am - 12pm 88 | Water Tent | Agroecology Learnings | Hear from farmers involved in a 3 year collaboration with Pasture for Life, Nature Friendly Farming Network, Soil Association Scotland, Nourish Scotland, Landworkers Alliance, Propagate and the Scottish Crofting Federation. Learning about agroecological farming and food systems and regenerative farming, in a farmer to farmer knowledge sharing for transitioning towards a more sustainable farming future. | Chair: Abi Mordin, founder of Propagate, Organiser of the Regenerative Farming Network, market Gardener, Facilitator, Educator, Researcher and Activist. Tim Barnes farms 120 acres near Twynholm in D&G with a flock of registered Lleysn using AMP grazing. Tom and Connie Booth runs East Neuk Market Garden: growing vegetables, herbs and salads for their Community Agriculture Support scheme, restaurants and shops. Jon McCosh, Managing Director of Kingsbeck Estate, Biggar, dairy herd as part of a holistic approach to farm management. |
Lunch | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
1-2pm | Water Tent | Native Equines | What can native equines do in the Regenerative world? Join Rare Breeds Survival Trust and farmers bringing native equines back into farming and in a fascinating conversation, learn about the importance of rare and native breeds on the land. | Martin Beard, Vice President (Scotland) Rare Breeds Survival Trust John Bennett, Cleveland Bay Horse Society Steve McMinn, Eriskay Pony Society Benny Duncan, Clydesdale Horse Society |
3-4pm | Water Tent | Growing a Livestock Enterprise with minimal capital | New entrant farmers will discuss each participant's route into livestock production with limited or no access to land/owned livestock. Hear what that has led to, current farming practices, partnerships with landowners/livestock owners and how participants see the future. | James Yoxall,Grampian Graziers, Aberdeenshire. Duncan Morrison’s family farm Meikle Maldron, NE Scotland: a QMS monitor farm. Vic Ballantyne, Nuffield Scholar in Brora Scotland, involved in various projects with QMS, AHDB & SRUC. Heather Wildman, family beef and sheep hill farm in the lake district. Nuffield Farming Scholarship (2012). Gemma Wark |
4.30- 5.30pm | Water Tent | Our Regenerative Journey | 4 Regenerative Farmers Journeys:how they got into a regenerative mindset, what they changed and when, what they learnt along the way | Ian Davis, environmental professional, retired beef cattle breeder & volunteer water environment advisor. Angus Dalton, Organic, dairy farmer in Peak District. Anthony Ellis, Partner in sheep & arable farm in Cornwall & regenerative arable agronomist in UK and Australia. David Finlay - Owner of The Ethical Dairy in Dumfries & Galloway, Dr Duncan Allison, Scottish Hill farmer. |
DAY 2 - Thursday 18th July, Soil Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
9-10am | Soil Tent | What do really regenerative places (inc. farms and food hubs) look, feel and taste like? | A session to explore what a really regenerative place is? How does one realise the potential of a farm or food hub and reconnect people to the land, and the source of where food, fibre and wood comes from? | Jenny Andersson, Founder of Really Regenerative CIC & designer of learning Journey: Power of Place. John Cherry: Co-founder of Groundswell, leading regenerative farmer, Lannock Manor Farm, Herts. Andrew Whitley, Scotland the Bread |
11 - 12pm | Soil Tent | Cropping for soil health and multiple ecosystem benefits | Soil health and environmental service provision is key within agricultural reform programmes and future farm payments. So how can we address this requirement in relation to the crops we grow, and how we grow them? Join the discussion on why growing a diversity of crops is beneficial, either when grown together or as part of a rotation. | Ali Karley, Agro-ecologist, James Hutton Institute. Henny Lowth, AHDB Strategic Cereal Farms, worked in plant biosecurity for Defra and organic crop research at the Organic Research Centre. Joel Williams, independent international plant and soil health educator and consultant. David Cunningham, a Director of Dods Seeds Jamie Sommerville, Farmer and Flax grower near Edinburgh |
1 - 2pm | Soil Tent | One Health: from Soil to Stomach | Connecting on-farm management practices to nutrient density and human health outcomes: what do we know and what are the opportunities for farmers and growers? We will explore the role of farm management practices on soil, plant and animal health in human health outcomes, the latest science around nutrient density, and changes needed to amplify food-based health interventions. | Chair: Ana Reynolds, AHDB’s national knowledge exchange team for Cereals & Oilseeds. Prof. Wendy Russell, Rowett INstitute, University of Aberdeen Dan Kittredge founder and executive director of the Bionutrient Food Association (BFA), whose mission is to “increase quality in the food supply”. Tom Pearson, regenerative farmer in Cambridgeshire and current Nuffield Scholar. |
3-4pm | Soil Tent | Future Farming: Technology friend or foe? | This session explores the various contributions that technology can make to farming and food systems; what's possible, what's appropriate and where do we want to go in a regenerative agro ecological context? | Chair: Ian Davis, environmental professional, retired beef cattle breeder and volunteer water environment advisor. Dan Kittredge founder and executive director of the Bionutrient Food Association. Simon Pearson - Lincoln Institute of Agri Food Technology (LIAT) pioneering development of advanced robotic systems,machine learning, artificial intelligence and digital systems for UK agriculture. Christine Zimmerman-Loessl, founder and chair of the Association of Vertical Farming. Pat Thomas, co-founder and director of Beyond GM/A Bigger Conversation in the UK and a former editor of the Ecologist magazine. |
4.30- 5.30pm | Soil Tent | Is the future bright for the Scottish organic sector both pre and post farm gate? | This session will cover what the misconceptions are about organic farming, lessons learned so far and what the major challenges are to organic farming in Scotland, covering what support is available for organic farmers. | Adrian James (Chair), AHDB, Cereals & Oilseeds Knowledge Exchange Manager with over 30-years’ farming experience Phil Swire, organic farmer in Northeast Scotland.with a red deer herd, a flock of Easycare sheep, growing gluten free oats for milling and combinable peas. Philip Day, manages 2500 acres of arable, beef, sheep and pigs in Fife and Kinross which is currently in organic conversion. David McKay, Co-Director of Soil Association, Scotland, leading on the research, development and advocacy on food, farming and land use. Adam Forrest, Organic Development Manager at Food and Drink Scotland and a current director of the UK Organic trade Board. |
Day 2 Thursday 18th July: Tree Tent | ||||
Time | Tent | Session Title | Session Description | Speakers |
9 - 10am | Tree tent | The Family Dynamic | The family origins of many farms can present distinct challenges when managing transformative change, including the need to marry traditional and more modern ways of working, the search for compromise between differing opinions of family stakeholders, and the oft tricky dynamics of incorporating non-family members into the management team. Join us to shed light on the prevalence of such challenges, as well as exploring methods for overcoming them. | Joanna Bowen, Co-Founder of Groundswell Heather Wildman, succession facilitator working with farm businesses to resolve inheritance and other family challenges Simoon Fransen, board member Grazelands Rewilding, co-founder Creabitat (Ecovillage), beekeeper, equine assisted coach, trainer, consultant and professional hobby farmer |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
11 - 12pm | Tree tent | Opening Up Land Holding | How can existing landowners adopt more responsible and progressive approaches to holding and opening up access and opportunities on the land that lead to shared prosperity and positive engagement? This session will explore the opportunities and challenges of different approaches to owning, stewarding and sharing land in ways that strengthen connections and build resilience. The panel will explore different approaches to good governance inc. B Corps, social enterprise, joint ventures, worker cooperatives, community ownership. We’ll hear about PLOG (Progressive Land Owners Group) and Real Farming Trust‘s new Progressive Landowners Platform, aiming to help landowners establish business models of governance | Ninian Stuart chairs Falkland Estate (a family Trust) on a transition beyond family ownership Bridie Ashrowan is a trustee of Community Land Scotland Kanada Gorla is a skilled facilitator of change. She’s supported Riverford Organic farmers into worker ownership and Hardwick Estate Oxfordshire towards community ownership Pieter Ploeg lives on a regenerative learning farm in Ireland and is a design strategist with Commonland Foundation Alastair MacKenzie is developing the Real Farming Trust‘s Progressive Landowners Platform, supporting pioneering farmers & landowners to navigate the challenges and adopt new models |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
1 - 2pm | Tree tent | Building Social Regeneration in Scottish Agriculture | “Regenerative” is not only on farm management practices, it also needs to be socially regenerative to ensure a thriving agricultural sector in Scotland. In this discussion we will explore pressing issues around agricultural subsidies, workers rights, access to land, generational renewal, supply chain fairness and how we can have a truly just transition for Scottish agriculture. | Miranda Geelhoed, Scottish Land Commission, Peter Samsom, The Landworkers Alliance, Jo Hunt, Crofter & Market Gardener, Cleo Goodman, Basic Income for Farmers campaign, Margarita Permonaite, Peer Engagement Officer for Worker Support Centre |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
3-4pm | Tree tent | Unlocking Potential - How Can Policy Better Support More Trees On Farms And Crofts? | Grant support schemes are a vital way to encourage and enable uptake of farm woodland and agroforestry creation, but how can policy support ensure trees are integrated at all scales to complement existing farming practices, deliver ecosystem services, regulate growing conditions and produce alternative materials? We’ll explore the current policy landscape, what the gaps are, and highlight our new report Unlocking the potential for trees on farms and crofts in Scotland. | Chair: Helen Browning OBE, Soil Association Speakers: David McKay, Soil Association, Gareth Phillips, Scottish Forestry |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
4.30 - 5.30pm | Tree tent | Growing Our Clothes – Rediscovering Regenerative Textiles | When we talk about regenerative farming we usually think of food production, but what is regenerative fibre production? Join the discussion and hear from three regenerative fibre producers who are rearing sheep for wool, and growing flax for linen as part of an Innovative Farmers Field Lab trial. We’ll explore how fibre production can fit into existing arable, livestock and mixed systems; and the shared goal of reseeding local and sustainable textile production in Scotland. | Chair: Colleen McCulloch, Soil Association Scotland Speakers: Rosie Bristow, Fantasy Fibre Mill Lisa Houston, Lauriston Farm Julie Hermitage, Uan Wool We) |
FREE Agroforestry Design Clinic - see Demos & Breakout section to book. | ||||
Day 2 Thursday 18th July: Pillars of Hercules (10 minutes walk from the main field) | ||||
Time | Tent | Session title | Session description | Speakers |
1100 - 1230 | Pillars | Talk & Tour of Market Garden | Another opportunity to visit Pillars Organic Farm to hear its history, visit its tunnels, crops and field scale production and discuss its evolving farm plans with the team who tend it. | Frank Morgan, Pillars farm manager David Stewart, Market gardener & grower Fi Petrie, Market gardener & grower |
Lunch | ||||
15.30 - 16.30 | Pillars | Harvesting Together: Reflections on a Season of Collaborative Farming | Hear about the early experiences of two established market gardens who have embarked on an experiment in collaborative farming, joining forces to feed more people and to help share the load of starting families whilst working the land. | Bryde Marshall (Falkland Kitchen Farm) with Tom Booth (East Neuk Market Garden) |
Demos & Breakouts | ||
Time | Venue | |
Various Times Throughout both Days | Tree Tent Agroforestry Design Clinic | Free Agroforestry Advice Sessions: Book a free 1:1 session at our Agroforestry Design Clinic.
Register for a FREE 45 min slot with agroforestry experts from Soil Association, Scottish Forestry and Woodland Trust Scotland - bring a map and/or pictures of your farm to discuss how you can integrate trees effectively into your system. For more details email Colleen McCulloch (cmcculloch@soilassociation.org). |
Wednesday 17th | ||
10 - 11am (~45 mins) | Pasture For Life Stand Mob Grazing - Principles and Suitability (Introductory Level) | Hear from three Pasture for Life certified farmers. Leslie Mitchell, Whitriggs Farm, an advocate of the benefits of mob grazing on their farm, and how this approach has reduced input costs and provided them with work/life balance. Jock Gibson, Edinvale Farm and Macbeth’s butchers, who despite understanding the benefits of mob grazing, does not practise bale grazing on his farm, opting for comparatively shorter rotation and rest to meet carcass specifications. Robert Campbell, Wester Logie Farm, about doing everything by eye and feel including, estimating grazing and measuring fat cover on his finished stock. |
12.15 - 12.45 Both Days (20mins) | Pasture For Life Stand | Find out what Pasture for Life certification is all about. Gain first-hand knowledge and experience from chair and certified producer Johnnie Balfour on the foundations that underpin the Certification Mark, which helps consumers identify meat and dairy produced this way. Along with membership secretary Bryony Petty as they walk you through the certification process. With plenty of time for questions so you can take advantage of their knowledge and experiences! |
1.15- 1.45pm | Field Demo Area | Mob Grazing Kit A demonstration delivered by Alex Brewster of Powered Pasture, in association with Pasture for Life, displaying the range of equipment available to quickly and effectively sub-divide pasture for mob grazing, to increase rest periods for plant growth, control feed allocation and optimise forage intake of livestock. |
1:45pm - 2:30pm | Orchard Walk Meet at Water Tent | Orchard Walk and Talk: with David Atkinson and Robin Nisbet - following on from ‘Falkland’s Story of Organics’ |
2.15 - 2.45pm Both Days | Field Demo Area | Whitriggs Bale Unroller Short demonstration of the Whitriggs Bale Unroller, showing both the loading and unrolling of a hay bale. Including an explanation/discussion of the benefits of using this in a bale grazing system. |
5:30 - 6:15pm | Orchard Walk Meet at Tree Tent (following Designing an Agroforestry System) | Continue the conversation in Falkland's own 2 acre orchard as we explore its ecology, varieties and consider the challenges of balancing social, environmental and economic ideals. Lead by Adam Reid and Catherine Drummond-Herdman |
Thursday 18th | ||
11.15 - 11.45 | Field Demo Area | Mob Grazing Kit |
12.15 - 12.45 | Pasture For Life Stand | Find out what Pasture for Life certification is all about. |
1.15 - 1.45pm ~30mins | PFL stand | Pasture for Life Supply Chain Update: Bryony Petty - Johnnie Balfour - Jamie Jack |
2 - 2:45pm | Orchard Walk Meet at Water Tent (following Native Equines) | Pomological journey from Kazakhstan to Scotland Follow the story of the apple from its distant montane origins to Scotland's fertile lands, encountering remarkable influences on this very important food crop. Lead by Adam Reid and Catherine Drummond-Herdman |
2.15 - 2.45pm | Field Demo Area | Whitriggs Bale Unroller |
Sponsors | ||
NHS Fife | NHS Fife Public Health department works with the local authority and other partners to improve the life circumstances of people living in Fife. The department has responsibility for health protection, screening, immunisation, supporting health service redesign and health improvement. | |
James Hutton Institute | We offer world-leading scientific solutions for the sustainable management of land, crop and natural resources that support thriving communities. | |
Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board | AHDB is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain to help the industry succeed in a rapidly changing world. We want to create a world-class food and farming industry, inspired by and competing with the best. | |
Rare Breeds Survival Trust | RBST is the charity that exists to conserve and promote our native livestock and equine breeds, whether sheep, cattle, pigs or poultry, as sustainable alternatives to the intensively farmed breeds that have come to dominate our countryside in recent decades. | |
Pasture For Life | The Pasture-Fed Livestock Association promotes the unique quality of produce raised exclusively on pasture, and the wider environmental and animal welfare benefits that pastured livestock systems represent. | |
Soil Association Scotland | The Soil Association is the charity joining forces with nature for a better future: a world with good health, in balance with nature, and a safe climate. | |
Scottish Forestry | Scottish Forestry is the Scottish Government agency responsible for forestry policy, support and regulations. It is progressive and passionate about the crucial role trees have to play in tackling climate change and nature loss, supporting the economy and the people of Scotland’s wellbeing. Its purpose is the sustainable management and expansion of forests and woodlands to deliver more for Scotland. It provides expert advice to Ministers on forestry policy, support and work with landowners, forestry professionals, communities and a wide range of stakeholders interested in forestry across Scotland. | |
Woodland Trust | The Woodland Trust Scotland works to plant and halt the loss of native woods and trees and restore existing woodland to peak condition. We also manage and look after around 60 woods in Scotland, covering more than 11,000 hectares from Sutherland to Stranraer. All are free to visit and yours to explore at any time. | |
Scotland Food and Drink | Led by the industry, supported by the Government and responsible for working across the whole Scottish food and drink sector, Scotland Food & Drink is responsible for the delivery of the Scottish food and drink’s industry strategy, ‘Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World. | |
FCCAN | Fife Climate Hub empowers community-led action on the climate crisis. We build capacity of existing community groups working on climate and deliver stronger collaboration between them. We reach beyond the climate engaged to grow a diverse network across Fife. We provide a voice for our members to influence local and national policy. Together we are driving change and strengthening climate resilience in Fife. | |
AFN Network+ | GO Falkland has joined the AgriFood Network+, to shape the next decade of research to support and drive the agrifood system’s progress towards net zero. This is a growing team of 2000+ scientists and stakeholders that combines systems-level expertise with comprehensive coverage of all key specialisms, across government departments, devolved administrations and their agencies, NGOs, innovation bodies, the agrifood industry, and farming and fishery groups across the UK. Please join us in the network. To find out more see https://www.agrifood4netzero.net/ | |
Exhibitors/ Demonstrations | ||
ANTA - The Highland Clip | The Highland Clip is a collaborative project between farmers, manufacturers and customers to produce a premium product with the uniting common purposes of sustainability, traceability and fair trade. | |
Atlantic Mariculture Ltd (AML) | AML is a pioneering Scottish kelp farming company producing organic-approved, sustainably processed products for plant health and soil restoration. We would like to exhibit more about the importance of sustainable seaweed farming, and also the benefits that brown kelp can have for plants and soil health (particularly with a regenerative farming approach), by showcasing and selling our flagship bio-fertilizer product, Liquid Kelp. | |
BASE-UK | BASE-UK - We are the premier organisation, dedicated to promoting independent, farmer led, regenerative agricultural knowledge across the UK. Our mission is to enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, and support businesses looking to embrace sustainable farming practices. Members benefit from educational events, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing regenerative farming techniques. | |
Claydon Drills | The Claydon direct strip seeding technique was developed to increase profit margins and yields whilst improving soil health and plant rooting. It is central to the Opti-Till range of machinery for sustainable crop establishment, which includes straw harrows, light cultivators and inter-row hoes. | |
Climate Action Fife | Climate Action Fife is a diverse partnership of 12 organisations with unique strengths, locations and local networks tackling the key areas of greenhouse gas emissions, including energy and heat, food and transport. We are working across all sectors and building capacity in communities and organisations across the region. People in Fife want ambitious action on climate change and for individuals, communities, government and businesses to work together to make it happen | |
FC&CT | Fife Coast and Countryside Trust lead in the care of Fife’s outdoors. Working together with you, we create a healthier environment that supports wellbeing and sustains the balance between people and the natural world. Spread across more than 65 sites, we maintain the Fife Coastal Path, Fife Pilgrim Way, the Lomond Hills Regional Park, local nature reserves, and award-winning beaches. We work with multiple partners on landscape nature restoration projects across Fife. The organisation has its headquarters at Harbourmaster’s House in Dysart, Kirkcaldy. | |
Feeldwork Futures | Feeldwork is a creative Studio. We use Design and Foresight to help rural organisations and communities create impactful and joyful change. We will be exhibiting our work and ways we can support farmers with change projects and communities / market engagement. We are also reimagining the farmers weekly of the future and will have ways for farmers, land workers etc to tell their narratives / ideas on the day. | |
Fibreshed | Fibreshed Scotland unites fibre and dye growers, processors, makers, artisans and educators to support a regenerative textile economy in Scotland. The Fibreshed Wish Tree. Local fibre artists will demonstrate the lifecycle of natural fibres. These fibres including wool, flax, natural dyes and waste materials will be included in a communal weaving representing a tree. Wishes, written on recycled paper, are added to capture thoughts generated by the event. Plus Newburgh Handloom Weavers will be launching the Falkland Blanket | |
FIDRA | Fidra is a Scottish environmental charity tackling chemical and microplastic pollution to support sustainable societies and healthy ecosystems. Fidra's Sewage free Soils and PFAS in Pesticides projects seek to protect agricultural soils and systems, as well as the wider environment from persistent pollutants that have a detrimental impact on the health of people, wildlife and habitats. | |
Food4Fife Partnership | The Food4Fife Partnership launched In August 2021 by organisations from across Fife’s food system to support changes in the food system to maintain high quality food and drink production, reduce and regenerate environmental damage, and increase community participation. Its work has been supported by the Sustainable Food Places (SFP) network and Nourish Scotland who facilitate food partnerships across Scotland. | |
The Forth Rivers Trust | The Forth Rivers Trust promotes the health of rivers and their wildlife while engaging communities in river conservation within the Forth. Visit our stand to learn more about the Trust, our work at the intersection of conservation and regenerative farming using nature finance and explore opportunities for collaboration. | |
Green Action Trust | With nearly four decades of delivering environmental regeneration projects across Scotland, we provide bespoke solutions to turn policy into action on climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental inequality. This includes coordinating the Central Scotland Green Network, one of the most ambitious green infrastructure initiatives in Europe. | |
Horizon Agriculture | At Horizon Agriculture our promise is to imagine, develop and manufacture innovative machines and components that challenge perceptions, improve efficiency, increase productivity and make a real difference to the environment. | |
LWA | The Landworkers' Alliance is a union for farmers, crofters, growers, foresters and other land based workers with a mission to build a better food and farming system. | |
McArthur BDC | McArthur BDC designs, builds and maintains grain drying, storage and processing systems across Great Britain and Ireland. Our range of processing machinery supports regenerative farmers separate, clean and add value to combinable crops. | |
NHS | Move for your Mood Moving for your mood means finding ways you can build movement into your day, and getting to know how it makes you feel. Any way you decide to get moving counts. Whether it’s stretching while making a cup of tea, meeting friends, or doing chores around the house, it all helps us move more! Move for Your Mood is a joint piece of work between health promotion and active communities. | |
NFFN | Nature Friendly Farming Network is a network of farmers working together to create a movement towards nature friendly farming practices. The network unites farmers to influence policy to support the transition. NFFN shares farm-level knowledge of whole-farm approaches that restore rural environments, regenerate ecosystems, protect biodiversity and offer greater resilience to farm businesses. | |
Pillars of Hercules - Book Sales | Pillars started as an organic market garden in 1983 and now runs everything from veggie boxes, a farm shop, holiday accommodation to its highly popular vegetarian cafe. The bookshop will be selling a range of relevant organic and regenerative books as well as titles by speakers contributing to Go Falkland. | |
RSPB Scotland | The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world. We’re working in partnership with the Scottish government in preserving Scotland's environment and its rich biodiversity. | |
SEDA Land (part of the Scottish Ecological Design Association) | A charity that tries to affect social and environmental change in rural Scotland by bringing together different land use sectors. | |
SEFARI Gateway | SEFARI aims to deliver 'Leading Ideas for Better Lives', reflecting that publicly funded research in Scotland must ultimately deliver positive impact for individuals, whether in Scotland or elsewhere. As a collective, we collaborate to deliver the Scottish Government funded Strategic Research Portfolio on agriculture, environment, food, land and rural communities. | |
SRUC | Scotland’s Rural College deliver world-class research, education and consultancy to lead innovation and sustainable development in the agriculture and rural sector.
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R Mitchell & Sons | Whitriggs Bale Unroller showing both the loading and unrolling of a hay bale. Including an explanation/discussion of the benefits of using this in a bale grazing system. | |
We Feed The UK | We Feed The UK is a major arts project pairing critically acclaimed photographers and poets with regenerative farmers, urban growers, sustainable fishers and grain rebels: the UK’s custodians of land, soil, sea and seed. The campaign is a message of hope, showcasing grassroots solutions to climate change, the biodiversity crisis and social justice. | |
Uan Wool | Uan Wool is a family run artisan business based in the Braes of Angus. Since 2015 we have developed a range of superior support & temperature regulation wool pillows using the natural properties to help improve sleep. We specialise in bespoke for neck injury and self care needs - caring for your sleep health and well being. We also make a range of warming wool gifts for you & the home. | |
Worker Support Centre Scotland (WSC) | The Worker Support Centre Scotland provides support, advice and information to temporary migrant workers in Scotland, including those on the Seasonal Worker visa, and ensures that workers’ lived experiences inform policy change. We believe everyone has the right to decent work and seek evidence-based policy change to ensure workers’ rights are upheld. | |
Art Moves Fife | ArtMovesFife is a collaborative artwork centred around collective journeys on foot, by bicycle, by bus, boat or train exploring all corners of Fife (not just the scenic bits). Local journeys become the test bed for discussion, ideas and art-making for positive environmental change through creative engagement. Placing local artists at the centre of their communities as drivers for environmental improvement, which in turn will open new routes for walks, climate discussion and art actions involving the wider Fife community. | |
FOOD AND DRINK (9am - 6pm) | ||
Magic 5 Pizza | Wood fired pizza Salads Soft drinks | Fresh, handmade pizza using only authentic Italian ingredients and local, seasonal produce. |
Screaming Peacock | Wild venison, Scottish pheasant, Chickpea and lentil burgers and rosemary fries | |
Bumblebeans Coffee | Hot and cold speciality drinks/snacks | |
Vegan Tipples | Quality vegan wines, beers and spirits | |
Highland Boundary - Wild Cocktail Bar | Bringing you the flavours of the Scottish wilderness in our botanical spirits and liqueurs. We hand-pick all of our botanicals from Scottish woodlands either on our farm or nearby. We are careful to only harvest a small amount of foliage, flowers or berries from any single plant, taking in one season only what would be browsed naturally. This means plants stay healthy and we leave plenty or the wild animals, birds and insects that also rely on mother nature. | Our electricity comes from solar panels on our farm roof; our offices are heated using biomass and the cooling water from our still comes directly from a natural spring and is recycled through our wildlife pond once it has cooled, continuing the water cycle. We are committed to using only biodegradable or recyclable glass packaging for our products. |
Falkland Estate Cider | Falkland Estate Cider is expertly hand-crafted from four varieties of apples grown in our own orchard at the foot of the legendary Lomond Hills. Crisp, dry and refreshing, light in texture and unique in taste, this small production cider is pressed in Scotland and is Fife’s only cider! | |
The Stables Cafe will have a breakfast offer and Food, Drinks and Ice Cream available throughout the day. | ||
FOOD AND DRINK (6pm -10pm) | ||
Falkland Cricket Club | BBQ & Bar | |
Pillars of Hercules Cafe | Organic vegetarian food and bar | |