Discover how trees can boost your regenerative farming system at Woodoaks Farm, Hertfordshire.
Following its sell-out debut in 2023, the Agroforestry Show is back—bigger, bolder, and packed with even more inspiration and learning opportunities. Join us for two incredible days dedicated to the future of farming, forestry, and sustainable land management.
Agroforestry is the deliberate integration of trees and shrubs into farming systems. It’s an increasingly important land management practice that should be part of every regenerative farmer’s toolbox, with enormous benefits for business, nature and climate.
1. Boost your farm’s resilience in the face of extreme weather
You’ll know from first-hand experience that farmers are feeling the effects of climate change. In the last six years alone, we’ve had four of the UK’s five hottest days since records began in 1911. Temperatures exceeded 40oC in July 2022 . From October 2022, England had the wettest 18-month period ever recorded, with the Environment Agency logging 1,695.9mm of rainfall.
Agroforestry brings resilience and diversity into farming systems, enabling them to adapt to extreme heat, drought or wet. Well-designed and managed agroforestry systems will maintain normal microclimatic ranges for your crops and livestock. They will provide vital shade and shelter and actively restore the essential components of a healthy ecosystem: soil health, water quality and biodiversity.
At the show, join discussions on how agroforestry can help add resilience to your business at a landscape scale, including with Claire Whittle, farm vet and farmer. She’ll take a fascinating look at how your farm might look and function in 2050 based on meteorological predictions both with and without trees.
Andy Dibben, head grower at Abbey Home Farm, Cirencester will also be speaking at the show about his own experiences. He states: “We’ve integrated trees into all of our cropping areas, at glasshouse, market garden and field scale. We see them as a powerful tool for improving existing horticultural production, as well as an effective technique for building in resilience to climate change.”
2. Tackle uncertainty around grants and trade
Numerous external factors both within the UK and from a global perspective are creating great uncertainty for farming. Agroforestry isn’t a magic bullet, but it can spread the risk and help farming businesses to diversify, offering an opportunity to develop new enterprises and enter new markets like fruit, nuts and timber. Alternative funding sources are also available in the emerging natural capital markets for establishing new trees and woods and restoring existing ones, such as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and carbon.
At the show, you can explore the potential for your business with sessions on markets for tree-based products, innovative sources of finance and the carbon impact of agroforestry.
You can also hear Stephen Briggs, perhaps the UK’s highest profile agroforester, in conversation with farmer and commentator Will Evans. They’ll discuss the success of Stephen’s 24m wide apple and cereal-based alley cropping system, established in 2009 on peat and clay soils, with results including:
- decreased soil erosion
- enhanced productivity with an average Land Equivalent Ratio of 1.25
- reduced risk through growing annual and perennial crops alongside each other
- circa 4t C sequestered per hectare
- improved biodiversity .
3. See first-hand a farm transitioning to a regenerative system
Woodoaks Farm is the perfect venue for the event, showcasing the early stages of a farm transitioning from a conventional arable farm into a mixed regenerative farming system. It demonstrates how trees and woods are helping this process, including the first foray into agroforestry and how to bring existing farm woodland into management. The long-term farm tenant is on this journey with the farm and several new business units are being established too, including a flower grower, brewer, and market gardener.
Don’t miss the farm walks to see the newly planted shelterbelt, initial woodland restoration and agroforestry alley planting in practice. The tours will share the farm’s plans to create a Biodiversity Net Gain habitat bank and visit the newly established businesses on site.
4. Gain the advice and confidence to take the next step
Whatever your experience and knowledge so far, the show offers everything you need to move forward on your agroforestry journey.
Many of us learn best from our peers and we’ll have plenty of inspiring speakers and in-depth discussions sharing real experiences of what has worked well and what hasn’t. See live demonstrations of tree management and establishment, check out the latest in tree protection options and speak to a range of tree nurseries. Get involved in hands-on workshops and small expert-led sessions at the Training Hub. Try out online planning tools and take advantage of a free 45-minute design clinic with an expert adviser to discuss plans for your farm – just bring a map of your site.
5. A great day out!
The show will be full of unmissable networking opportunities and chance to get away from the farm and relax while learning[HC4] [SS5] . Take a visit to the speaker’s corner or take a break with local food and an agroforestry beer brewed on site. Enjoy musical entertainment in the evening and camping and facilities are available too. Don’t just take our word for it!
“A positive day, and brilliant to see so many farmers in attendance looking at ways they can integrate trees into their businesses. Looking forward to next year’s event already.’ Will Evans, Welsh Farmer and Chair of Oxford Farming Conference
“Great day at the first #agroforestry show with lots of really great talks from farmers. Well done @SoilAssociation @WoodlandTrust and everyone involved in organising this event.” Martin Lines, farmer and CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
Get your tickets now at www.agroforestryshow.com
Tickets are selling fast, grab yours today: Home | Agroforestry show
Got a group of 10+? Use Discount Code GROUP10 when booking.
