SFI Schemes and Biodiversity: Enhancing Biomass Crop Sustainability

Nigel Bertram Visitor Centre, Paradise Way, Tadcaster, LS24 9GF

What 3 Words: ///excellent.crunch.bunch

16th May 2024

Welcome to the Biomass Connect Demo Event: SFI Schemes and Biodiversity: Enhancing Biomass Crop Sustainability

Join us on Thu May 16 2024 at 13:00 in Headley Hall, Tadcaster for an exciting event focused on sustainable biomass production.

• Learn about SFI schemes and how they promote biodiversity in biomass crops.
• Connect with experts in the field and discover the latest innovations in biomass technology.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network and gain valuable insights into the future of biomass production. See you there!

Agenda

1 pm – Register and refreshments

1.30 pm – Introductions and plan for the afternoon:

• Stewart Ritchie, plot manager at the NIAB Biomass Connect site.
• Mark Needham from Biomass Connect, Benefits and opportunities of biomass crops.

Followed by

• Dr Lydia Smith and Jasmine Toole: The Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCx3) project at NIAB   Cropping options for carbon capture and storage.
• Dr Rebecca Rowe, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology: The logic and benefits behind the SFI Biodiversity Scheme
• Dr Judith Ford, Leeds University, ClieNFarms a project that is developing and scaling up systemic, locally relevant solutions to foster climate-neutral and climate-resilient farms.

2:15-2:30 – Minibus to the biomass demonstration plots (approx. 5 minute journey)

2:30pm – Plot Tours

A walk around the trial plots will aim to cover:

• The practicalities of establishing the biomass crops and the SFI headland mixtures; Stewart Ritchie NIAB site manager and Will Macalpine of Rothamsted Research and NIAB agronomists        
• Measuring biodiversity ,Dr Rebecca Rowe
• How carbon is sequestered, Dr Lydia Smith and Jasmine Toole

3.45 /4pm  – Return to the centre for Tea, Cake and Networking

Please note wear suitable outdoor foot wear.  Plastic shoe covers will also be provided to help with biosecurity and to keep the shuttle bus clean !