Improving Soil Health

“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