Groundswell 2020

[steveR]

Groundswell is probably a bit out of his area, but David Gregory-Kumar from BBC Midlands is the sort of Journo you need there. Doesn't/didn't he do Farming Today as well??

If you can offer him a reason to connect the event to the Midlands, drop him a line and get a TV report.... maybe even a programme? Thoughtful and a good reporter.

 

[martian]

Yes yes, all right and proper this good stuff.... But as a newbie this year, what is the craic like on-site after 6pm, when the Gentry have left and gone back to their Hotels?

Got a passout for One, (Possibly two nights) and wondering about either scamming a free bed off family connections a few miles down the road just off the M25/A1, or maybe chuck a tent on the bike (or in the truck) and rough it! Few beers and a barbie and chatting for a night or two.

Wanted to come for a couple of years, and see what I can learn.

We've sold a surprising number of tickets already, most for both days and a third of them want to camp...we're just working out how much we can extend the campsite, there will be showers and basic facilities and it's not much more than a furlong from the Earthworm Arms...illuminated by festoon lighting to make it harder to get lost.

In terms of craic, the bar will be open on Tuesday night and there will be vans selling Wagyu burgers and other nourishing grub, for those who've done the Jill day or just want to get there early and grab the best tent space. On Wednesday night there is a band booked, so there will be music...but also Tim May will be looking to create a scratch regen-ag orchestra: he'll be asking anyone who can play an instrument to bring it along for a jam. We're imagining creating something like this:

(btw, when I said orchestra, I was using the term loosely).
More details to follow

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Minette is booked in for the Thursday, she sounds very keen on the whole business...as you say it ticks a lot of boxes with the policy wonks.
We're working on journalists and BBC etc, it's not straightforward, they are very good at getting the wrong end of the stick. Farmers have been the bad guys for so long, it takes quite a mental leap to see what's in front of your nose, rather than 'report' what's in your head.

You really need Tom Heap (radio 4 "Costing the earth") and/or Roger Harrabin (lead science correspondent) for maximum effect.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

All I can say is it’s busy but don’t stay at the bar too late because you really need to be fully on it the next day. As I found out last year.

Or go full "hardcore" and just stay awake for 48 hours.....

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Also...Jill Clapperton is organising her own day on the day before (Tuesday, 23rd) (I think). It will be an in depth session for 40 odd students, details to follow.

It has been suggested that we also put on a beginners day on that Tuesday, for farmers who are planning on 'going no-till' and who want some good tips on making that switch. They do this every year at 'No-till on the Plains' in Kansas, it seems to be popular and useful. Would there be a market for that here? PM me if you don't want to post in public!
John

How about a "regenerative livestock farming" introduction as well.....

 

[steveR]

Or go full "hardcore" and just stay awake for 48 hours.....

Personally, I gave up that sort of lifestyle 40 years ago... ? lthough I do remember vaguely, evenings of copious alcohol and young ladies of modest virtue, although the latter may just be a figment of an alcoholic imagination.

 

[steveR]

You really need Tom Heap (radio 4 "Costing the earth") and/or Roger Harrabin (lead science correspondent) for maximum effect.

If you could persuade Harrabin to come onside, that would be quite an achievement!

 

[sjt01]

Id like to have a full day with Jill Clapperton so to speak John. Did you mean actual students or farmers?

Also I have a workshop suggestion for you. "No till Maize". Maybe involving one of the Yanks (maybe Jeff Moyer), the maize growers association and a few farmers who are doing it in the UK (or strip till). No till/ strip till.maize needs to develop a critical mass as its such a good opportunity for some farms.

Id like to here Phil Needham one day. He is originally from lincs. I know he is pretty straight bat no till rather than regen ag but he does have a good technical knowledge and I think a lot of the pure arable no tillers who find some stuff a bit high falutin would probably get something out. I think phil would too and i know he takes a summer holiday in the uk

If you need a Maize Growers Association contact, I am on Council. We have been strip tilling maize for a few years now.

 

[bitwrx]

Booked up for both days. See you all there.

 

[steveR]

We've sold a surprising number of tickets already, most for both days and a third of them want to camp...we're just working out how much we can extend the campsite, there will be showers and basic facilities and it's not much more than a furlong from the Earthworm Arms...illuminated by festoon lighting to make it harder to get lost.

In terms of craic, the bar will be open on Tuesday night and there will be vans selling Wagyu burgers and other nourishing grub, for those who've done the Jill day or just want to get there early and grab the best tent space. On Wednesday night there is a band booked, so there will be music...but also Tim May will be looking to create a scratch regen-ag orchestra: he'll be asking anyone who can play an instrument to bring it along for a jam. We're imagining creating something like this:

(btw, when I said orchestra, I was using the term loosely).
More details to follow

Well, that Sell worked.... on me at least!

See ya on the 23rd, ready for an early start on the Big Day! Stop over and enjoy the buzz. Earplugs WILL be brought.

 

[Devon James]

Also this could be a good opportunity for minette or tom bradshaw to have an opportunity to be part of it. I reckon Tom might be willing to.

The whole language of regen ag and the message that is a positive albeit evolving area, combined with climate change plus Brexit and likely developing patriotism could be a good opportunity for a few parties to publicly come together and make the claim that farmers are keen to evolve there farming to suit food production, regeneration of soils, wildlife, culture etc but we cannot do it alone - we need the public and govt support to make the best of it.

The wider press would probably like it. Eg Today programme doing a piece on it, you can get your white legs on the front of the Guardian etc!!

Jist thinking aloud - I dont know what goes into these things!

Hi Will. I have seen Tom at a previous Groundswell, year before last I think Great news Minette is attending

 

[Devon James]

Id like to have a full day with Jill Clapperton so to speak John. Did you mean actual students or farmers?

Also I have a workshop suggestion for you. "No till Maize". Maybe involving one of the Yanks (maybe Jeff Moyer), the maize growers association and a few farmers who are doing it in the UK (or strip till). No till/ strip till.maize needs to develop a critical mass as its such a good opportunity for some farms.

Id like to here Phil Needham one day. He is originally from lincs. I know he is pretty straight bat no till rather than regen ag but he does have a good technical knowledge and I think a lot of the pure arable no tillers who find some stuff a bit high falutin would probably get something out. I think phil would too and i know he takes a summer holiday in the uk

Great idea on the maize. Its a crop that really needs some research into growing it with less intensive cultivations and what are the necessary steps to take to get a successful crop with this approach.
The MGA mention every factor apart from cultivation technique to reduce its impact on the soil and wider environment. There is a big opportunity for strip till maize imo

 

[Brisel]

Mzuri would be up for an opportunity for maize DD. Perhaps @Martin Lole would consider sponsoring such a forum?

 

[E_B]

Mzuri would be up for an opportunity for maize DD. Perhaps @Martin Lole would consider sponsoring such a forum?

I remember Martin did the opening presentation at the first year. They also did a fine field demonstration, and brought probably near £250,000 worth of equipment for people to look at. They were since made to feel like Groundswell wasn't the event for them. Perhaps things have changed this year, hopefully.

 

[Daniel]

I remember Martin did the opening presentation at the first year. They also did a fine field demonstration, and brought probably near £250,000 worth of equipment for people to look at. They were since made to feel like Groundswell wasn't the event for them. Perhaps things have changed this year, hopefully.

There is no room for the heresy of soil movement in the Church of Latter-Day No-Tillers!

I think in the first year Jeff Claydon did a presentation as well, not to be seen the following year. Granted he had tried to sell his opti-till system which involved about 14 passes with a straw rake!

 

[Brisel]

There is no room for the heresy of soil movement in the Church of Latter-Day No-Tillers!

I think in the first year Jeff Claydon did a presentation as well, not to be seen the following year. Granted he had tried to sell his opti-till system which involved about 14 passes with a straw rake!

I remember that - Jeff & Martin were back to back at the beginning of the day. Steve Townsend commented that "this isn't no till, Jeff," but I don't remember either Jeff or Martin claiming that it was. Jeff Claydon's stand there was busy enough last year - remember that many no-tillers started their journeys with strip tillage, even @Clive !

 

[Daniel]

I remember that - Jeff & Martin were back to back at the beginning of the day. Steve Townsend commented that "this isn't no till, Jeff," but I don't remember either Jeff or Martin claiming that it was. Jeff Claydon's stand there was busy enough last year - remember that many no-tillers started their journeys with strip tillage, even @Clive !

There was chap called Tony Reynolds I think who savaged it as well I think?! He had turned his own farm over to no-till and it had all been a triumph. He was not a man given to false humility...

Ah, so Claydon were back last year?

 

[Brisel]

There was chap called Tony Reynolds I think who savaged it as well I think?! He had turned his own farm over to no-till and it had all been a triumph. He was not a man given to false humility...

Ah, so Claydon were back last year?

Yes, it might have been Tony who uttered those words, not Steve. Jeff's stand was pretty busy when I stopped by. No kit working, just a tent & some props with a good supply of drinks.

Tony is pretty honest about his experiences, though we don't hear much about his really heavy ground near Melton Mowbray where I'm not sure it has been quite so straightforward.

 

[steveR]

We've sold a surprising number of tickets already, most for both days and a third of them want to camp...we're just working out how much we can extend the campsite, there will be showers and basic facilities and it's not much more than a furlong from the Earthworm Arms...illuminated by festoon lighting to make it harder to get lost.

Question please @martian?

Are the tickets emailed, or if a d/l, where from? Just checked and my account has been debited after the purchase on Fri/Sat OK.

Ta.

 

[SilliamWhale]

There is no room for the heresy of soil movement in the Church of Latter-Day No-Tillers!

I think in the first year Jeff Claydon did a presentation as well, not to be seen the following year. Granted he had tried to sell his opti-till system which involved about 14 passes with a straw rake!

Good. Best to have people who can make machines that can do the job in one rather than trundling about with umpteen bits of cultivation kit