Understanding SFI workshops
Helping your farm become more sustainable
At Duchy College Rosewarne in February
Book for Stoke Climsland Book for Rosewarne Book for The Eden ProjectWorking in partnership with Cornish Mutual we have developed a range of Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) specific workshops providing practical advice and support on key farming schemes to optimise your farm management and secure available funding.
These workshops run over half a day and include lunch.
Workshops and dates:
26 February 2025 at Duchy College Rosewarne
All sessions 11am – 2pm including lunch.
Workshop content overview:
This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of IPM principles, emphasising sustainable and effective pest control strategies.
The workshop covers the three pillars of IPM—prevention, monitoring, and intervention—alongside the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Cornish agricultural context. Participants will explore the balance between managing pest risks and optimising costs, while leveraging the advantages of Cornwall’s diverse landscape.
Through real-world case studies, the course examines specific pest management scenarios, such as tackling Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), Septoria, and slug infestations. These case studies delve into the costs, alternative strategies, soil health, plant nutrition, and effective use of plant protection products, with examples from local farms like Riviera Produce and Pensipple Farm. Practical insights on techniques like minimum tillage, use of biocontrols, and Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) highlight the benefits of integrating IPM practices.
Workshop lead – Anthony Ellis – Farm Advisor at Farm Carbon Toolkit
Anthony Ellis is an agricultural and environmental professional with 17 years of experience, including 13 years as a commercial agronomist practicing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in both the UK and Australia. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture with Environmental Management and the BASIS Diploma in Agronomy. Anthony is a Member of the BASIS Professional Register and the BASIS Register of Environmental Advisors. Currently, he serves as a Senior Soil & Carbon Farm Advisor for FCT, and he also farms alongside his father on their family’s arable and sheep farm in South East Cornwall, where he applies principles of IPM and sustainable, soil-focused agriculture.
21 February 2025 at Duchy College, Rosewarne
All sessions 11am – 2pm including lunch.
Workshop content overview:
- Soil health overview – What are the ways in which we can increase soil health? -biologically, chemically, physically
- How can we increase business resilience through soil health? – SFI soil health management options
- Soil management plans, what they look like and what you need to do
- In field assessment, how to conduct one (outside)
- Implementation, summary and questions
Workshop lead – Hugo Ellis – Agronomist with Terra Farmer
Hugo Ellis began his career studying at Duchy College and working in the dairy industry before moving into a role as a trials manager, where he spent six years managing a wide range of crop trials. He has also lectured in agronomy and crop science and worked as an assistant manager on an estate in North London. Now, as an agronomist and consultant at Terrafarmer, Hugo supports businesses in transitioning to regenerative farming systems.
25 February 2025 at Duchy College Rosewarne
All sessions 11am – 2pm including lunch.
Workshop content overview:
- Benefits of nutrient planning to include integrating fertilizer and manure, best practice applications and techniques
- Calibrating machinery and environmental risks. Improving soil condition to aid nutrient uptake
- Soil nutrient supply for Nitrogen calculations
- Current regulations Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and Farming Rules for Water
- Record keeping techniques
- Soil testing (how, where and when) what for
- Understanding results
- Developing a Nutrient management plan to meet CNUM1 of the SFI
- Using a FACTS qualified advisor
Workshop lead – Ross Cherrington – Senior Farm Advisor Westcountry Rivers Trust
Ross is senior farm advisor for the Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) and regional expert advisor for Farming Advice Service (FAS). He has 20 years’ experience in delivering accurate and costed farm advice including workshops for NFU and DEFRA, on subjects to over 3000 farmers including Farm nutrient budgeting, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, Farming Rules for Water and Sustainable Farming Incentive. Ross is FACTS (FE/2796) and BASIS Soil and Water (SW292) qualified.
19 February 2025 at Duchy College Rosewarne
All sessions 11am – 2pm including lunch.
Workshop content overview:
- Boundary options in SFI
- Hedgerow capital
- Understanding hedges – good and hedges, non-hedges etc
- How to measure up hedges
Workshop lead – Louise – Farm Cornwall
Louise is a self-employed adviser who has been working on agri-environment schemes for 20 years. Her work involves advising on and submitting applications, managing agreements and navigating the complexities of layering the different schemes together. She has delivered multiple workshops to farmers across Cornwall on SFI, and helps farmers to understand what will work best on their farm and how to practically apply the options they have selected. Louise also works part time for Farm Cornwall providing support to farmers facing challenges, and she will often be asked for help to rectify complex and technical issues with the RPA.
Louise is from an organic beef and sheep farm on Dartmoor, and studied for her FACTS qualification through Duchy College.
These workshops are part of the Future is Green project which is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.