Designing an Agroforestry

You’ve decided that integrating more trees into your farming systems is right for your business but not sure where to start? This day is designed to take you through a step-by-step process looking at what to plant, where, and when. We’ll also look at longer term management for your best chance of success. This course assumes a knowledge of the basics and benefits of agroforestry.

Our agroforestry courses are aimed at farmers, landowners and land managers who are interested in learning more about agroforestry from a professional perspective. We started our own agroforestry journey in 2016 with the help of agroforestry expert, Ben Raskin. He has very kindly agreed to share his expertise and what we have learned here on the farm with you in a series of workshops. Depending on where you are in your own journey, we hope that we have something that will support you in your own agroforestry adventure.

The day will start at Helen Browning’s Royal Oak pub with an introduction to the day. The morning session will be a mixture of theory and practice, based in and around the pub and farm. We will enjoy a hearty lunch back at the   pub before heading out for our afternoon session. We will end up back at the pub for a question-and-answer session.

Tea, coffee and lunch are provided.

And, if you don’t fancy an early start, we have a special hotel deal for course participants. Check your booking confirmation email for details or give us a call to check availability - 01793 790481.

Tutor: Ben Raskin

Ben is the Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry at the Soil Association in the UK. He also manages our pioneering agroforestry here on Lower Farm. He got the gardening bug while working on an organic vineyard in Northern Italy and has worked in horticulture for thirty years. Ben is author of several books including Plant a Tree and Retree the World, The Woodchip Handbook, The Community Gardening Handbook, Compost, Grow, and Bees, Bugs & Butterflies.