Trees on farms vital for food, climate and nature: new event to share groundbreaking research

Trees could be the key to ensuring food production amidst climate change and biodiversity loss, according to farmers and researchers who will be leading the charge at the UK's first agroforestry show.

Researchers and farming pioneers have found that agroforestry – combining trees with livestock or crops - can protect animals during heatwaves, boost yields, and cut river and air pollution.

These findings will be presented at the show alongside new discoveries by farmers on how best to incorporate trees on farms as tools for climate resilience and producing food.

The two-day Agroforestry Show, being organised by the Soil Association and Woodland Trust on 6-7 September, aims to upskill farmers and foresters to expand agroforestry as a key climate, nature and farming solution across the UK.

The event programme, released on 11 July, will feature more than 100 speakers on all aspects of agroforestry and include research on how trees can prevent river pollution and reduce ammonia emission, plus insights into the benefits of tree shade to reduce heat impacts on livestock.

Farmers will also be sharing both what has worked and what hasn’t with tree planting, and the impacts it has on nature, with new updates on farm research that is being supported by the event organisers.

The need to adapt to a rapidly changing climate is becoming a critical concern for farmers. Drier and hotter summers can have devastating effects on both arable and pastoral farms and speakers will reveal how adopting agroforestry can serve as an important buffer in heatwaves as well as in cold and wet conditions.

Shade from trees can prevent heat stress on dairy cows which can lead to lower productivity, higher disease levels and reproduction issues.

Soil Association head of agroforestry Ben Raskin said:

“The nation’s love of trees and hedgerows shows we intrinsically understand the benefits of trees on farms. But we desperately need more, and this event aims to empower people to make this happen.

“Evidence from farming pioneers and researchers shows that agroforestry can deliver resilience for land managers across the country. Trees can protect their farms from extreme weather, make additional income from tree products and build biodiversity into their land.

“But there is a knowledge gap in this country so the Agroforestry Show is aimed at giving farmers and foresters the confidence to have a go by themselves to kick-start a farmer-led tree revolution.”

Helen Chesshire, lead farming advocate at the Woodland Trust said:

“We know bringing more trees into the UK farmed landscapes is essential if we are to meet nature and climate goals. Implementing agroforestry does this whilst also supporting farmers to continue to produce agricultural outputs - a win-win scenario. But with less than 5% of the UK agricultural area under agroforestry this show is needed to give farmers and foresters the confidence to implement it at scale.”

Modelling by Cranfield University, which is summarised in the Woodland Trust's recent Agroforestry Report*, showed that by establishing silvopastoral systems on 30% of England's grasslands it would bring pastoral systems into net zero greenhouse gas production by 2051 (assuming no emission cuts from other farm operations).

There are over 100 expert speakers attending the show, at Eastbrook Farm near Swindon, which is backed by lead sponsor Sainsbury’s, to discuss first-hand how they are using trees on their farms.

Eastbrook Farm is managed by Soil Association chief executive Helen Browning, who will be giving tours of her seven-year agroforestry project which has been supported by the Woodland Trust.

Key sessions at the show include:

• Trees, climate change and resilience: Agroforestry has strong potential to help farms adapt to climate change. In this session we will hear how agroforestry systems are providing farmers greater adaptation benefits in the face of temperature/rainfall trends, more erratic weather, and extreme climatic events, and will discuss different aspects that need to be considered in resilient agroforestry design, focussing on tree species choices. Speakers: Andy Dibben (Abbey Home Farm), Peter Aspin (Hollies Farm / Shropshire Agroforestry Project) and Chair Will Simonson.
• Hedges, edges and farmland trees: This session will bring alive the benefits of existing hedges, edges and farmland trees. Hear from farmers who value them and the wide variety of roles they play on their farms. Find out about the practical management of farm native woodlands, hedges, shelter belts and in-field trees to support livestock, crops, nature and for future generations. Speakers: James Robinson (Strickley), Ben Andrews (Broadward Hall), Ruth Pybus (Broadleaf Wales) Chair: Emma Bird (Woodland Trust.
• The Importance of trees in resilient livestock systems: The presence of trees in livestock systems can act as an important buffer leading to an increase in system resilience. There is considerable potential for trees to support good welfare for farmed animals including protection against extreme weather patterns and optimising the use and value of home-grown feedstuffs. In this session, the panellists will cover the major benefits of re-connecting animals with tree-enriched landscapes, covering aspects of shade and shelter and nutrition and medicine. Speakers: Lindsay Whistance (Organic Research Centre), Henry Andrews (Leworthy Manor Farm), Sokratis Stergiadis (University of Reading) Chair Jo Smith (MV Agroecology Research Centre).
• Cows and trees in silvopasture: How can tree planting be best designed for shade, shelter, and browse for cattle? What lessons can be learned from existing UK silvopasture systems? Listen to first-hand experience from farmers working with trees and cows in this session, including the farmer-led research with the Devon Silvopasture Network supported by the Soil Association, Woodland Trust and Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West.

Book tickets for the show at: www.agroforestryshow.com/tickets

Notes to editors

For more details, contact Andy Bond in the Woodland Trust press office on 07725480434.

The show is sponsored by lead partner Sainsbury’s. Other sponsors include: Forestry Commission, Tilhill, Farmers Weekly, Oxbury Bank, Bee Happy Plants & Seeds, Forest of Avon Trust, Shakespeare Martineau, DEFRA, Farm Carbon Toolkit, Royal Forestry Society, Regenerate Outcomes, Exagen, Wessex Woodland Management, Tom the Apple Man, Nofence, Penfolds Forestry, Vigilis Tree Shelters, The Grower, CONFOR, Abacus Agriculture, Frank P Matthews.

*View the Woodland Trust’s Agroforestry report at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2022/11/farming-for-the-future

About the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.

The Trust has three key aims:

• protect ancient woodland which is rare, unique, and irreplaceable
• restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
• plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.

About the Soil Association

Soil Association is a leading sustainable food and farming charity. Since 1946 the organisation has impacted millions of people, creating practical, nature-based solutions to recover climate, nature and health through sustainable and regenerative food, farming and forestry. It promotes the connection between people, food, and the natural world, lobbying government on key environmental policies, helping to serve millions of certified school meals and engaging thousands in farmer-led research. It has a network of spokespeople on farming and food topics who can provide expert comment and share their experiences. This includes organic farmer Helen Browning OBE, who is chief executive of the Soil Association Group. The Chair of Trustees is Martin Nye and Soil Association Limited is registered as a charity in England and Wales no. 206862 and as a charity in Scotland no. SC039168. Registered as a company no. 00409726.