Soil Health SIG: Launch event

This introductory workshop will explore the current perspective on soil management. It is a widely held belief that there have been years of under-investment in soils, due to the lack of a clear return on investment and business model. Are there any other factors involved? What new knowledge is needed to invest in soil management – how much is already being invested and how “future-proofed” do farmers/ growers feel for the potential decline in soil quality that they are likely to be facing? How do they currently monitor the health of their soil? What do they do to improve it?

The Food and Agriculture Organisation has designated 2015 as International Year of Soils, to help ensure proper management of this valuable resource for future generations.  Prof John Crawford (Rothamsted Research), Dr Tony Miller (John Innes Centre), and David Felce (Agrii) will be leading discussion with input from farmers, producers and equipment manufacturers. The aim is to develop and share best practice by applying the latest scientific thinking to practical applications,  and create collaborative projects to improve soil quality.