Simon Osborne is a fourth-generation cropping farmer from Leeston on a farm that his grandfather started back in 1864. He has a particular interest in soil and believes soil management is the key to a healthy, profitable farm.
At our conference he’ll be telling us all about Companion Cropping and Soil Health.
Different plants serve different purposes. Having certain species planted next to each other can provide complementary benefits.
For example, some plants have long taproots that bring up minerals locked deep in the soil subsurface where most other plants can’t reach them. Flowering plants attract pollinators, which helps non-flowering plants to reproduce and bear fruit. Some plants need more nitrogen than others, and are happiest next to a plant that releases nitrogen into the soil…
Knowledge of these intricate relationships was lost in the transition to chemical agriculture, but they are now experiencing a revival. Choosing to grow food in a monoculture system drastically reduces diversity in all realms, thereby reducing pest and disease resistance, and the crop’s overall vitality.
Regenerative.com
The Regenerative Soil Solution Conference 2020
On March 7 & 8th, 2020, we will be holding our Annual Conference at Lincoln University on the subject of Regenerative Farming. The weekend will consist of a full programme of expert speakers – Walter Jehne, Prof Jack Heinemann, Paul Smith, Alistair Humphrey, Phyllis Tichinin, Dr Mike Joy – and regenerative farmers – Simon Osborne, Jono Frew, Peter Barrett, Nigel Greenwood, Hamish Bielski. Agricultural Economist, Peter Fraser will be our Master of Ceremonies. Join us on a guided fieldtrip, and enjoy a catered menu of delicious, local organic food and wines.