Soil Health Clinic to support farmers piloted as part of collaboration between the Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and partners.
The Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture has announced a new Soil Health Clinic pilot with the University of Lincoln, Anglian Water and Natural England, building on the momentum and interest generated by its successful soil health workshop at the University of Lincoln's Riseholme Campus earlier this year.
The free Soil Health Clinic could mark a major step forward in supporting farmers to improve resilience, productivity and environmental sustainability across the region.
Bringing together leading expertise, practical advice and real-world farming experience, this event will provide farmers with the knowledge to develop and maintain healthy soil, and how best to reap all the benefits that come with that.
Previously, to test soil, farmers would be required to send samples to specialist facilities in the Netherlands, wait weeks for the results, and then be expected to understand and analyse the measurements provided.
Under this new Soil Health Clinic, growers can bring their own soil samples or analysis sheets for review by experts from the University of Lincoln. And a session breaking down a typical soil analysis will run through what is being measured, what it means for soils, and what challenges there are for different soil types across our region.
Farmers will also be equipped with practical knowledge of how to determine soil health, including slake tests, visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) assessments and how to undertake field diagnostics of soil condition.
The initiative represents a significant milestone in the agri-forum’s mission to champion a thriving, resilient and sustainable farming sector. At a time when farmers face unprecedented challenges and pressures, from drier summers and wetter winters, rising costs, and evolving regulations, the Soil Health Clinics offer practical, farmer-focused support that delivers benefits above and below ground.
Matt Riddington, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture, said: “Healthy soils are crucial for productive, resilient and profitable farming, and they have been a hot topic in the sector over the last few years.
“This initial pilot will be a fantastic test bed for Soil Health Clinics, with local farmers testing their soil samples, and leaving with detailed analysis and practical knowledge which they can then look to implement on their farms.
“I’m confident that it’ll have a great impact in driving towards more resilient and productive soils across Greater Lincolnshire.”
Dr Iain Gould, Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, said: “Soil analysis is an invaluable tool to understand the health and needs of our soils, but laboratory testing often isn’t backed up with support in interpreting results and identifying practical, evidence-based actions that can improve soil health.
“This Soil Health Clinic, looks to serve as this one-stop-shop, providing testing, analysis, interpretation and knowledge to farmers, making it as easy as possible to build up those more resilient and productive soils we all want to see.
“It’s going to be a really exciting pilot, and we’re looking forward to welcoming farmers from across the county and digging into their soil health data.”
To ensure that proper analysis and review can take place for everyone's soil samples, this first Soil Health Clinic will be limited to 23 farmers.
Places are completely free and expected to fill up quickly, so be sure to secure your place on Eventbrite.
This Soil Health Clinic pilot has developed, funded and made possible through a collaboration between the Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture, the University of Lincoln, Anglian Water, and Catchment Sensitive Farming.
The Greater Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture is funded and supported by Lincolnshire County Council. For more news, events and updates from the forum, sign up to the forum’s quarterly newsletter.