FarmED Founder and Farmer, Ian Wilkinson, talks to FarmED Storyteller, Fiona Mountain

Ever wondered how farmers decide what to grow in their fields each season? Do you remember learning about Turnip Townsend in history lessons at school? Ian explains how growing a succession of different crops reduces the need for chemicals and improves the quality of the soil, offering environmental and economic sustainability. He discusses the eight year rotation at FarmED, including four year herbal leys, a mixture of seventeen grasses, legumes and herbs. Regenerative farming.
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FarmED is the new Centre for Farming and Food Education based at Honeydale Farm in the Cotswolds.
Our mission is to accelerate the transition towards regenerative farming and sustainable food systems by providing space and opportunity for inspirational education, innovative research, practitioner-led knowledge exchange events and personal development.
The farm is a diverse mix of low input arable and temporary grass, and organic permanent pasture. Our trial plots include blocks of sainfoin, herbal ley, barley, heritage wheat, wild bird seed and various cover crops. The grassland is managed by mob grazed sheep.
At the heart of FarmED are two impressive eco-buildings - one providing space for conferences, lectures, workshops and special events; and the other a farm to fork kitchen and food space, and a regenerative business incubator.
Our audience includes local communities, schools, universities, researchers, farmers, new entrants, foodies, businesses, environmental groups and policy makers.
Our Website - www.farm-ed.co.uk