FARMERS are being invited to a open event at a farm in Cornwall, which is to become an Agroecology at Scale Demo Farm. 

Tregooden Farm near Bodmin will complete the quintet of demonstration farms that the Soil Association pledged to establish when it announced its Farm to Fork partnership with Ocado in May. 

The programme aims to help accelerate the adoption of systems that benefit nature, animal welfare, soil health and climate resilience. 

The demonstration farms serve to showcase agroecological farming practices that work practically and economically for farmers across a wide range of farming sectors.

Tregooden Farm is a 300-acre mixed arable and beef farm run by Malcolm and Catherine Barrett where they have been practicing a wide range of agroecological practices for four years.

“We are delighted to have signed up our fifth demo farm and look forward to building the programme of farmer to farmer learning with Malcolm and Catherine," said Kate Still, head of farming at the Soil Association.

"Tregooden Farm is a fantastic example of a resilient, progressive mixed farm and has been pioneering many agroecological practices both independently and with our Innovative Farmers and the Farm Net Zero Farm programme, as well as Duchy Farms, so they have plenty of experience of innovating and leading skills-learning workshops.

“This provides a strong foundation to our Agroecology at Scale Demo Farm programme providing five key farms which are well positioned to act as learning hubs for farmers from all backgrounds to accelerate the learning and adoption of agroecological practices for the next three years.”

The open afternoon at Tegooden Farm will take place on October 10 from 10:30am until 2:30pm. Tickets are free, but you must book here. 

Catherine added:  “We both came from farming backgrounds. Malcolm was previously in a family partnership with his dad and brother on another Duchy Farm until four years ago when Malcolm got his own tenancy at a new Duchy farm. We were keen to explore regenerative farming practices and have been able to implement several changes from traditional farming to a more regenerative approach on our new farm. We run the 300-acre livestock and arable farm with 150 cattle and grow winter and spring barley, maize and fodder beet.

“It has been a fantastic start on our regenerative journey and we are particularly enjoying building our networks and sharing ideas. That is what it is all about and the farm walk will be a great opportunity to meet and talk to other farmers on a similar journey or considering adopting agroecological practices on their farm.

“Every farm environment is different, so it is great to pool knowledge and ideas but then you adapt and innovate to suit your specific circumstance, soil type, environment and climate.”

Other demonstration farms include Godminster Organic Dairy in Somerset; Boxford Fruit Farms in Suffolk; Boome Park Farm in Northumberland and Field Hall Farm in Uttoxeter.