Location: Leighton Hall Farm
Contact: Tel: 01768 868615, Text Nidsoil to: 07714 187034, email: admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk
“Six Principles of Soil Health go under the microscope with the Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network”
For several millennia mankind understood the importance of healthy soil. The Earths thin
skin supports all life above it. Around 2,400 years ago, the ancient Greek philosopher
Xenophon wrote “To be a successful farmer, one must first know the nature of the soil”.
These words still ring true and perhaps even more so in the modern era as we consider
adaptation to climate change and the need to sustainably feed an expanding population.
The Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network, a not-for-profit farmer support organization,
continues to extoll the virtues and benefits of healthy soil and an open farmer meeting is
planned for Thursday 9 th January 2025 commencing 10am at Leighton Hall, Healey,
Masham, HG4 4LS. Host farmers Chris and Deb Metcalfe will be welcoming 2023 Soil Farmer
of the Year Stuart Johnson from Northumberland, and Tom Dillon of Regenerative
Outcomes. Together they will discuss “The Six Principles of Soil Health”.
Chris and Deb will lead a farm walk supported by Stuart who is a member of the
Northumberland Farmer Network, and also Tom who will be looking at The Three Rules of
Adaptive Stewardship, to build more resilient and profitable farms. The event will include a
demonstration of shovel tests, soil interpretation and water infiltration tests.
Farmer Network Coordinator Carol Moffat says “Stuart is an inspirational farmer who has
used these principles to reduce his own farm’s input costs. He has hosted meetings for the
Farmer Network in Northumberland and we are very pleased that he is travelling to
Yorkshire to speak at our workshop”.
The workshop is provided with thanks for funding from the Nidderdale National Landscapes
FiPL programme and AHDB. Lunch will be provided.
Farmers must reserve a place by 7 th January 2025 at https://bit.ly/Nidsoils
Some other events in January 2025
Making a Difference in Lutherie
David Pelter lives and works in Kirkby Lonsdale making concert classical guitars. His instruments are sold worldwide and have a waiting time of 14 months.
Having made his first instrument at the age of 15, he returned in 2012 to making as a full time activity. He soon built a reputation and following for making instruments of the highest quality. In pursuit of a “unique voice” for his instruments, Lockdown gave him the time to focus on a programme of extensive testing that resulted in changes to instrument design that experts have commented upon as being exceptional.
Come along and gain an insight into the making of concert classical guitars in Kirkby Lonsdale and how science, space age materials and traditional methods combine to produce a unique sound.
On 31 Jan we will be hosting a social uphill only running race from our door to the top of Arant Haw.
Members of Helm Hill Runners have organised this low key club event a number of times from different starting points. The format is interval starts from 6.30pm so that runners reach the summit more or less at the same time and can jog back down together.
We have ten places to give to any Sedbergh runners who fancy giving it a try (self sufficiency and confidence on the fell needed).
Drop us a line if your idea of a good time is running up a hill in the dark
An Evening with Kevin Sinfield CBE
Hosted by Jamie Jones Buchanan
View details >
