INCREASED integration between farmers and foresters will be promoted at a major conference next month.
The Institute of Chartered Forester’s National Conference 2023: Connecting Trees, Farmers and Foresters will encourage rural sector stakeholders to have a frank, honest and engaged discussion about the integration of trees into farming.
Speakers will include Nikki Yoxall, farmer and head of research for Pasture For Life, Forestry Minister Trudy Harrison, and Jim McAdam of the Irish Agroforestry Forum.
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Louise Simpson, executive director of the ICF, said: “Farmers and foresters are often portrayed in opposition. However, we are only going to reach climate change targets if we work together.
"We hope this groundbreaking conference will promote partnership and collaboration between the sectors, raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities and explore the multiple benefits, both economic and environmental, of integrating trees into farms, from small plantations and silvopasture to larger-scale agroforestry.
“This is not about foresters talking at farmers and telling them what to do; we want to stimulate an honest and frank debate."
Conference chair Sir Harry Studholme, former Forestry Commission chairman, said: “‘Plant more trees’ is a deceptive slogan. Easy to say, harder to do – nearly every bit of land is used for something. In the countryside, most land is used is to grow food. Forestry’s conversation with farming is both inevitable and important."
Tom Bradshaw, deputy president of the National Farmers Union, said: “Landscape trees, hedgerow trees and woodlands are an integral part of the farmed countryside but, due to various barriers, they are often an unmanaged resource and a lost opportunity for farmers. I look forward to speaking at this conference and hope the event helps address these barriers, enabling farmers to access the opportunities.”
The event will be held at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, on April 25 and 26, with online tickets also available for those unable to attend in person but who still wish to engage with the conference.
For further information and tickets, visit here: pheedloop.com/NC23/site/home/
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