The Innovation for Agriculture study tours bring together a group of farmers, usually for two days, to visit various businesses and case studies, hearing how others in the industry have implemented new approaches and technologies.
At Innovation for Agriculture, we aim for the study tours we organise to include opportunities to see cutting edge technologies at the forefront of agricultural innovation, as well several examples of approaches that farmers could adopt straight away.
In 2023, Innovation for Agriculture delivered three farm study tours. These included:
- The Community of Practice study tour in January, which focused on farm diversification opportunities and how to choose the right option for your farm.
- The Farm of the Future Herefordshire study tour in November, which included farm tours on regenerative and organic farms, a visit to an AD plant and visits to see two contrasting phosphate stripping systems that can be used to enhance water quality.
- The Farm of the Future Lincolnshire study tour in November, which included seeing regenerative farming techniques in practice at The South Ormsby Estate, inspiring use of agri-tech at the Lincoln Institute of Agri-food and Technology (LIAT) and a visit to both the Dyson Nocton and Carrington farms.
What are the benefits of going on a farm study tour?
Farm study tours provide an opportunity to get away from the day-to-day running of the farm business, meet new people and explore different farming approaches. Specific benefits include:
- The chance to explore a mix of options that can be carried out on farm that are interesting, accessible and novel.
- The opportunity to see different farming practices and develop a deeper understanding of land management.
- Having engaging conversations that are useful for your farm, enterprise or career.
- Meeting peers in a non-pressured situation with the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing your own business, which in some cases you would perhaps not discuss with your farming neighbours.
Importantly, everyone is welcome on a farm study tour, no matter your farming enterprises, farm size or system. 100% of the surveyed attendees rated the Herefordshire Farm of the Future study tour at either 4/5 or 5/5 in terms of inclusivity.
What do attendees of a study tour say about the experience?
The feedback from all three farm study tours in 2023 has been overwhelmingly positive. It is clear that everyone takes something away from the experience, with attendees considering ideas for their own farm business, learning new things and coming away with a new perspective on the technologies and practices seen in action. The following quotes are all from participants of the Herefordshire Farm of the future study tour:
- “The poultry wetland was really good and definitely something that could be achieved on most farms using very little productive land. AD tour was very interesting, and potentially made me view AD in a better light than before if used in the right way.”
- “It was an enjoyable and informative two days, the visits were sufficiently varied to be interesting.”
- “[It was a] great tour with another really diverse, inclusive group of people. It felt packed [with] lot of information to take in, the bus rides were a good chance to decompress and talk.”
Study tours in 2024
Innovation for Agriculture is running more study tours in 2024, which are being delivered on behalf of the Royal Agricultural Society of England as part of the Farm of the Future series of activities.
These will be taking place in November, with a study tour in Hampshire and another in Yorkshire. Click here to find out more and apply for a fully funded place.
