Chris Atkinson
@chris-atkinson.bsky.social
Head of Standards @thesoilassociation.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
🚜The first event in the #ResilientFarmRoadshow series with AHDB is underway!
Today we're at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland with our expert guests, sharing the secret to building a stronger farm business. 💪
Get your free ticket to the next Roadshow: agricology.co.uk/launch-resil...
Today we're at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland with our expert guests, sharing the secret to building a stronger farm business. 💪
Get your free ticket to the next Roadshow: agricology.co.uk/launch-resil...
November 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
🚜The first event in the #ResilientFarmRoadshow series with AHDB is underway!
Today we're at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland with our expert guests, sharing the secret to building a stronger farm business. 💪
Get your free ticket to the next Roadshow: agricology.co.uk/launch-resil...
Today we're at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland with our expert guests, sharing the secret to building a stronger farm business. 💪
Get your free ticket to the next Roadshow: agricology.co.uk/launch-resil...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
🌱Great to hear two of our major reports spotlighted by James Rebanks @herdyshepherd.bsky.social on BBC Sounds: Radical with Amol Rajan.
👉Full episode: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Read the reports:
➡️'Farming for Change' ffcc.co.uk/publications...
➡️‘Paying the Price’ ffcc.co.uk/publications...
👉Full episode: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Read the reports:
➡️'Farming for Change' ffcc.co.uk/publications...
➡️‘Paying the Price’ ffcc.co.uk/publications...
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 PM
🌱Great to hear two of our major reports spotlighted by James Rebanks @herdyshepherd.bsky.social on BBC Sounds: Radical with Amol Rajan.
👉Full episode: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Read the reports:
➡️'Farming for Change' ffcc.co.uk/publications...
➡️‘Paying the Price’ ffcc.co.uk/publications...
👉Full episode: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Read the reports:
➡️'Farming for Change' ffcc.co.uk/publications...
➡️‘Paying the Price’ ffcc.co.uk/publications...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Can you help an @coventrycawr.bsky.social MSc student who's investigating pollinating insects e.g how management approaches such as planting attractant plants can be most effectively utilised and their pros and cons? He has set up a short survey for growers to complete
forms.gle/FDj5Q4jXLn9u...
forms.gle/FDj5Q4jXLn9u...
Farmer Survey: Pollinators, Farming Practices & Conservation
Thank you for taking part in this study. This survey explores farmer attitudes, knowledge, and practices relating to pollinators on farmland. Your responses are anonymous and will contribute to MSc re...
forms.gle
November 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Can you help an @coventrycawr.bsky.social MSc student who's investigating pollinating insects e.g how management approaches such as planting attractant plants can be most effectively utilised and their pros and cons? He has set up a short survey for growers to complete
forms.gle/FDj5Q4jXLn9u...
forms.gle/FDj5Q4jXLn9u...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
“Sustainability & profitability can go hand in hand”, says Stuart Henry (Oakwood Mill Farm) of their low-intervention, #Organic beef enterprise.
Join us on Wed 16 July to explore a #WholeFarm approach & #AnimalWelfare in action.
Book your free place now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-hea...
Join us on Wed 16 July to explore a #WholeFarm approach & #AnimalWelfare in action.
Book your free place now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-hea...
July 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
“Sustainability & profitability can go hand in hand”, says Stuart Henry (Oakwood Mill Farm) of their low-intervention, #Organic beef enterprise.
Join us on Wed 16 July to explore a #WholeFarm approach & #AnimalWelfare in action.
Book your free place now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-hea...
Join us on Wed 16 July to explore a #WholeFarm approach & #AnimalWelfare in action.
Book your free place now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-hea...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
📢 Only 7 days left to apply!
IFOAM Organics Europe is looking for two Research & Innovation Officers to join our team:
🧑🌾 One focused on agriculture-oriented projects
🥗 One focused on food processing-oriented projects
📅 Don't miss this opportunity! Apply by 11 May:
🔗 ow.ly/NtCe50VJReJ
IFOAM Organics Europe is looking for two Research & Innovation Officers to join our team:
🧑🌾 One focused on agriculture-oriented projects
🥗 One focused on food processing-oriented projects
📅 Don't miss this opportunity! Apply by 11 May:
🔗 ow.ly/NtCe50VJReJ
May 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
📢 Only 7 days left to apply!
IFOAM Organics Europe is looking for two Research & Innovation Officers to join our team:
🧑🌾 One focused on agriculture-oriented projects
🥗 One focused on food processing-oriented projects
📅 Don't miss this opportunity! Apply by 11 May:
🔗 ow.ly/NtCe50VJReJ
IFOAM Organics Europe is looking for two Research & Innovation Officers to join our team:
🧑🌾 One focused on agriculture-oriented projects
🥗 One focused on food processing-oriented projects
📅 Don't miss this opportunity! Apply by 11 May:
🔗 ow.ly/NtCe50VJReJ
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Check out our new Special Issue, which features 16 papers on the Grazing Effects on Vegetation: vegsciblog.org/2024/09/26/g...
Grazing effects on vegetation: biodiversity, management and restoration – a new Special Issue in AVS - vegsciblog.org
A new Special Issue in Applied Vegetation Science focuses on the effects of grazing on vegetation. Edited by Péter Török,
vegsciblog.org
December 28, 2024 at 7:16 AM
Check out our new Special Issue, which features 16 papers on the Grazing Effects on Vegetation: vegsciblog.org/2024/09/26/g...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Climate impacts on UK food imports
We live in a globalised world. Few systems represent that as clearly as our food system. The UK imports half of its food, and around half of that comes directly from vulnerable countries that lack capacity to respond.
We live in a globalised world. Few systems represent that as clearly as our food system. The UK imports half of its food, and around half of that comes directly from vulnerable countries that lack capacity to respond.
Climate impacts on UK food imports
Spotlight on: climate-vulnerable countries
buff.ly
December 16, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Climate impacts on UK food imports
We live in a globalised world. Few systems represent that as clearly as our food system. The UK imports half of its food, and around half of that comes directly from vulnerable countries that lack capacity to respond.
We live in a globalised world. Few systems represent that as clearly as our food system. The UK imports half of its food, and around half of that comes directly from vulnerable countries that lack capacity to respond.
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Cover cropping in organic reduced tillage systems: supporting soil microorganisms or increasing SOC? We have the choice!
Cool and ambitious study by Simon Oberholzer
bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Cool and ambitious study by Simon Oberholzer
bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Cover cropping in organic reduced tillage systems: Maximizing soil cover or plant above ground biomass input?
Description of the two cover cropping strategies.
bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 16, 2024 at 6:03 AM
Cover cropping in organic reduced tillage systems: supporting soil microorganisms or increasing SOC? We have the choice!
Cool and ambitious study by Simon Oberholzer
bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Cool and ambitious study by Simon Oberholzer
bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Cracking PhD opportunity at Reading. Agroforestry trees for #soil health, climate resilience, and food security #Agroecology #FoodStudies
PhD Studentship in Ecology and Agri-Environmental Research: Agroforestry trees for soil health, climate resilience, and food security at University of Reading
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a PhD Studentship in Ecology and Agri-Environmental Research: Agroforestry trees for soil health, climate resilience, and ...
www.jobs.ac.uk
December 14, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Cracking PhD opportunity at Reading. Agroforestry trees for #soil health, climate resilience, and food security #Agroecology #FoodStudies
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
UK farming sector at risk due to extreme weather, soaring inflation and chronic supply chains.
READ open letter coordinated by Sustain + @wclnews.bsky.social w/ 41 TOP food, farming and nature groups ⬇️ @wwf.org.uk @rspb.bsky.social @thesoilassociation.bsky.social www.sustainweb.org/news/dec24-e...
READ open letter coordinated by Sustain + @wclnews.bsky.social w/ 41 TOP food, farming and nature groups ⬇️ @wwf.org.uk @rspb.bsky.social @thesoilassociation.bsky.social www.sustainweb.org/news/dec24-e...
Over 40 food, farming and nature groups urge government to fix agriculture sector | Sustain
Extreme weather, soaring inflation and chronic supply chains are putting the UK's farming sector at serious risk, says open letter coordinated by Sustain and Wildlife and Countryside Link.
www.sustainweb.org
December 9, 2024 at 1:46 PM
UK farming sector at risk due to extreme weather, soaring inflation and chronic supply chains.
READ open letter coordinated by Sustain + @wclnews.bsky.social w/ 41 TOP food, farming and nature groups ⬇️ @wwf.org.uk @rspb.bsky.social @thesoilassociation.bsky.social www.sustainweb.org/news/dec24-e...
READ open letter coordinated by Sustain + @wclnews.bsky.social w/ 41 TOP food, farming and nature groups ⬇️ @wwf.org.uk @rspb.bsky.social @thesoilassociation.bsky.social www.sustainweb.org/news/dec24-e...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
We have some new analysis out today on *the* biggest problem facing English nature conservation…
…& increasingly climate goals…
…& farm incomes…
It’s the befuddling failure of Defra to stand up a higher tier land management scheme
🧵…
t.co/jYmsFI4YLx
…& increasingly climate goals…
…& farm incomes…
It’s the befuddling failure of Defra to stand up a higher tier land management scheme
🧵…
t.co/jYmsFI4YLx
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/nature-government-brexit-national-trust-north-yorkshire-b2659105.html
t.co
December 5, 2024 at 12:19 PM
We have some new analysis out today on *the* biggest problem facing English nature conservation…
…& increasingly climate goals…
…& farm incomes…
It’s the befuddling failure of Defra to stand up a higher tier land management scheme
🧵…
t.co/jYmsFI4YLx
…& increasingly climate goals…
…& farm incomes…
It’s the befuddling failure of Defra to stand up a higher tier land management scheme
🧵…
t.co/jYmsFI4YLx
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
📜 New Citizen Manifesto
As we continue to work with citizens to develop a National Citizen Manifesto, to be launched in 2025, here’s an early preview of the top five messages citizens want decision-makers to hear...
As we continue to work with citizens to develop a National Citizen Manifesto, to be launched in 2025, here’s an early preview of the top five messages citizens want decision-makers to hear...
November 25, 2024 at 1:23 PM
📜 New Citizen Manifesto
As we continue to work with citizens to develop a National Citizen Manifesto, to be launched in 2025, here’s an early preview of the top five messages citizens want decision-makers to hear...
As we continue to work with citizens to develop a National Citizen Manifesto, to be launched in 2025, here’s an early preview of the top five messages citizens want decision-makers to hear...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
The @uniofexeter.bsky.social convened a panel to advise the university on how to use carbon offsets in its ambitious net zero target. Our conclusion is that all offsets should be ditched. We very much hope other universities will do likewise.
theconversation.com/we-have-offi...
theconversation.com/we-have-offi...
We have officially advised our university to ditch carbon offsets – and focus on cutting emissions
Your organisation should probably ditch offsets too.
theconversation.com
November 22, 2024 at 11:45 AM
The @uniofexeter.bsky.social convened a panel to advise the university on how to use carbon offsets in its ambitious net zero target. Our conclusion is that all offsets should be ditched. We very much hope other universities will do likewise.
theconversation.com/we-have-offi...
theconversation.com/we-have-offi...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Agrivoltaics (growing crops under solar panels) can improve water conservation in Africa
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/22/a...
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/22/a...
Agrivoltaics can improve water conservation in Africa
Research led by the University of Sheffield installed an off-grid agrivoltaic system in Tanzania and a grid-tied agrivoltaic system in Kenya. They found the installations helped boost crop yield and c...
www.pv-magazine.com
November 23, 2024 at 7:20 AM
Agrivoltaics (growing crops under solar panels) can improve water conservation in Africa
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/22/a...
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/22/a...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
📢 NEW PhD opportunity: Peatlands, plants, and pollinators.
This exciting project will use population genetics & landscape info to inform conservation management strategies for the endangered Large Heath butterfly across Scotland's peatlands.
👇🏼
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
This exciting project will use population genetics & landscape info to inform conservation management strategies for the endangered Large Heath butterfly across Scotland's peatlands.
👇🏼
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
November 20, 2024 at 2:44 PM
📢 NEW PhD opportunity: Peatlands, plants, and pollinators.
This exciting project will use population genetics & landscape info to inform conservation management strategies for the endangered Large Heath butterfly across Scotland's peatlands.
👇🏼
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
This exciting project will use population genetics & landscape info to inform conservation management strategies for the endangered Large Heath butterfly across Scotland's peatlands.
👇🏼
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
For me, the government reforms of Agricultural Property Relief (APR) miss two big opportunities
1. The political opportunity Labour had coming in to win over more farmers & ‘deep rural’ voters
2. The policy opportunity to use APR more imaginatively
A 🧵 on what I mean…
1. The political opportunity Labour had coming in to win over more farmers & ‘deep rural’ voters
2. The policy opportunity to use APR more imaginatively
A 🧵 on what I mean…
November 18, 2024 at 2:45 PM
For me, the government reforms of Agricultural Property Relief (APR) miss two big opportunities
1. The political opportunity Labour had coming in to win over more farmers & ‘deep rural’ voters
2. The policy opportunity to use APR more imaginatively
A 🧵 on what I mean…
1. The political opportunity Labour had coming in to win over more farmers & ‘deep rural’ voters
2. The policy opportunity to use APR more imaginatively
A 🧵 on what I mean…
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Growing crops under solar panels 🌱🌽⚡️
Austrian utility building 164 MW agrivoltaic plant
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/18/a...
Austrian utility building 164 MW agrivoltaic plant
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/18/a...
Austrian utility building 164 MW agrivoltaic plant
Burgerland Energie says it is building a 164 MW tracker-based agrivoltaic facility near Tadten-Wallern on Lake Neusiedl, southeastern Austria.
www.pv-magazine.com
November 19, 2024 at 10:28 AM
Growing crops under solar panels 🌱🌽⚡️
Austrian utility building 164 MW agrivoltaic plant
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/18/a...
Austrian utility building 164 MW agrivoltaic plant
www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/18/a...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
I’ve written about the recent Labour budget and what it might mean for an agricultural green transition.
Farm inheritance tax: farmers cannot go green if they are in the red
theconversation.com/farm-inherit...
Farm inheritance tax: farmers cannot go green if they are in the red
theconversation.com/farm-inherit...
Farm inheritance tax: farmers cannot go green if they are in the red
If British farms are less competitive then food production will simply shift elsewhere.
theconversation.com
November 19, 2024 at 7:03 PM
I’ve written about the recent Labour budget and what it might mean for an agricultural green transition.
Farm inheritance tax: farmers cannot go green if they are in the red
theconversation.com/farm-inherit...
Farm inheritance tax: farmers cannot go green if they are in the red
theconversation.com/farm-inherit...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
"We estimate that less than 16% of the carbon credits issued to the investigated projects constitute real emission reductions" www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Systematic assessment of the achieved emission reductions of carbon crediting projects - Nature Communications
Carbon markets are key in climate strategies, but only 16% of carbon credits represent real emission reductions, based on a study of 2,346 projects. Reforms are needed to improve the effectiveness of ...
www.nature.com
November 16, 2024 at 5:16 PM
"We estimate that less than 16% of the carbon credits issued to the investigated projects constitute real emission reductions" www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
To people referring to soil invertebrates as 'insects', I have a visual for you. You could say this really bugs me. 🧪
November 18, 2024 at 10:08 AM
To people referring to soil invertebrates as 'insects', I have a visual for you. You could say this really bugs me. 🧪
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
We've a 5 month Research officer role assessing the impact of management & climate on soil ecology available at Teagasc in Wexford, Ireland as part of the soilguard project. topjobs-teagasc.thehirelab.com/LiveJobs/Job... Deadline 22/11/24
November 18, 2024 at 11:41 AM
We've a 5 month Research officer role assessing the impact of management & climate on soil ecology available at Teagasc in Wexford, Ireland as part of the soilguard project. topjobs-teagasc.thehirelab.com/LiveJobs/Job... Deadline 22/11/24
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
Tibor Hartel about one of the greatest landscapes we still have in the EU. Unfortunately it is fading away between our fingers, accelerated by EU policy. Imho the greatest ecological catastrophe in Europe of our time which is also bad for climate due to enormous mineralisation of carbon from soils.
November 16, 2024 at 8:23 PM
Tibor Hartel about one of the greatest landscapes we still have in the EU. Unfortunately it is fading away between our fingers, accelerated by EU policy. Imho the greatest ecological catastrophe in Europe of our time which is also bad for climate due to enormous mineralisation of carbon from soils.
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
EEA-Briefing: "Solutions for restoring #Europe ’s #agricultural #ecosystems"
"... (1) improving the condition of semi-natural habitats; (2) (re-)establishing multifunctional, biodiverse agricultural landscapes; and (3) reducing pressures on #biodiversity while managing soil and water sustainably."
"... (1) improving the condition of semi-natural habitats; (2) (re-)establishing multifunctional, biodiverse agricultural landscapes; and (3) reducing pressures on #biodiversity while managing soil and water sustainably."
Solutions for restoring Europe’s agricultural ecosystems
This briefing presents evidence-based examples of key options to help restore Europe’s agro-ecosystems and ecosystem services and enhance agricultural resilience and productivity. It is published in t...
www.eea.europa.eu
November 15, 2024 at 9:15 AM
EEA-Briefing: "Solutions for restoring #Europe ’s #agricultural #ecosystems"
"... (1) improving the condition of semi-natural habitats; (2) (re-)establishing multifunctional, biodiverse agricultural landscapes; and (3) reducing pressures on #biodiversity while managing soil and water sustainably."
"... (1) improving the condition of semi-natural habitats; (2) (re-)establishing multifunctional, biodiverse agricultural landscapes; and (3) reducing pressures on #biodiversity while managing soil and water sustainably."
Reposted by Chris Atkinson
A new paper in Nature offers yet more evidence of the immense #inequality in who contributes to climate change and breaching planetary boundaries.
It's time we direct our societal and political attention to those who disproportionately cause ecological breakdown! 🌱⚖️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It's time we direct our societal and political attention to those who disproportionately cause ecological breakdown! 🌱⚖️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Keeping the global consumption within the planetary boundaries - Nature
An analysis of the environmental footprints of consumption finds that planetary boundary transgressions can be mitigated by following an effective mitigation pathway focused on the food and services s...
www.nature.com
November 14, 2024 at 8:10 AM
A new paper in Nature offers yet more evidence of the immense #inequality in who contributes to climate change and breaching planetary boundaries.
It's time we direct our societal and political attention to those who disproportionately cause ecological breakdown! 🌱⚖️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It's time we direct our societal and political attention to those who disproportionately cause ecological breakdown! 🌱⚖️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...