After months of planning and support from our amazing sponsors, speakers and host farmers, we are just days away from our second-ever Down to Earth event. We have some fantastic speakers at the two events we are hosting this year, covering everything you may need to know no matter where you are on your regenerative farming journey.
Both events, Down to Earth South in Somerset on 21 June and Down to Earth North on 6 July in Cumbria, are free for Members to attend, so if you still need to register for your free ticket, you can do it at www.projectdowntoearth.co.uk .
Both events promise to have something for everyone. Neil Baker is the host of Down to Earth South and is different from what you would class as a 'conventional' regenerative farmer, running an indoor herd of 1,800 high-yielding, predominately Holstein cows.
Neil is one of Arla's regenerative pilot farms and says for him, regenerative farming encompasses much more than simply focussing on the soil. Whilst he admits soils are a big area, he prefers using the word 'circular farming' over the regenerative farming phrase.
As part of the pilot project, Neil is looking to grow maize without any chemical inputs and understand the economic side by calculating carbon emissions from 'ghost acres'.
Neil will be joined by a host of other speakers covering everything from soil management, the impact of cow health, demonstrations, livestock farming case studies, plus lots more.
We are excited to be kicking off Down to Earth South with world-renown Ted X Talk speaker Ffinlo Costain. In his opening address, he will set the record straight on how cows are vital to the climate crisis solution.
If visiting a more conventional regenerative farm is more your cup of tea, then Down to Earth North is not to be missed. Mark and Jenny Lee of Park House Farm are true converts of regenerative farming, milking 175 milking crossbred cows, which are mob-grazed on a 30–40-day rotation. They graze areas of silvopasture, have pigs and chickens in the rotation and are reaping the rewards for their herbal leys.
Visitors to Down to Earth North will see first-hand the benefits of regenerative farming on the farm with farm walks throughout the day. There is a whole suite of talks and practical demonstrations on regenerative farming covering everything from the benefits, to what regenerative farming means for different systems, including case studies and practical ways to improve your farm's sustainability.
Regenerative farming is something we feel quite strongly about at the RABDF as part of the solution to helping farmers improve resilience and biodiversity, reduce costs, emissions, and, most importantly, maximise the sustainability of their businesses.
We were overwhelmed by the support at last year's inaugural event when almost 2,000 visitors attended the one-day event in Shropshire. All we have to do now is pray that the weather holds, although a slight breeze will be nice and that you can all come along and enjoy yourselves at these two fantastic summer events.
To view the full line-up of speakers, demonstrations and more about the host farmers, visit www.projectdowntoearth.co.uk.
We look forward to giving you an update in next month's Milk Digest.
Best wishes,
Matt