Sustainable Farming Special Interest Group (SIG)

Date: Tuesday 14 July (10:00 – 16:00)

Venue:  Rothamsted Research, Harpenden

To celebrate the new expanded Sustainable Farming SIG, this event brings together sustainable agriculture and forestry with pollination and parasitoids, under the theme ‘co-benefits and trade-offs’. It’s an opportunity to explore the different needs of insects in a productive landscape, and how to apply entomology towards systems that work for both society and nature.

After keynote talks from experts in the field, and posters and flash talks, we will get hands on with application. The afternoon will focus on practical activities, with a site tour, and getting out in the fields looking at invertebrates. There will be lots of opportunity to discuss key themes during activities.

Join us for:

• Two expert keynote talks
• Flash-talks and Posters
• A tractor tour of Rothamsted Research including the famous long-term experiments
• A visit to the Rothamsted Insect survey suction and moth traps
• Field entomology: sampling insects from farm habitats (weather dependant)
• Plenty of time for networking and discussion

Learn more about our Sustainable Farming Special Interest Group and the Convenors.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Jo Staley, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Field boundaries and beyond: do agri-environment schemes support insect pollinators at multiple spatial scales?

Jo’s research focusses on large-scale field surveys to investigate biodiversity responses to habitat management, agricultural practices and climate change.

Jo currently leads the Landscape-scale monitoring of mobile species to agri-environment schemes project, monitoring the responses of insects, birds and bats to agri-environment management, applied at different spatial scales and across multiple agricultural landscapes in England. Her projects also focus on hedgerow ecology, using field experiments and surveys to test the effects of hedgerow management, rejuvenation, structure and age on provision of resources for wildlife and insect assemblages. She has previously worked on biodiversity responses to regenerative farming and sustainable agriculture.

Prof. Nicola Randall, Harper Adams University

Why we Need Applied Entomology within Sustainable Farming Systems

Nicola is the founding director of the Centre for Evidence Based Agriculture, a reviewing, training and co-ordinating hub for the collation and synthesis of agri-food evidence at Harper Adams University, and is also the Director of cross-cutting research for the university.

Nicola’s scientific career started off in entomology, firstly in ground beetles and then, for her PhD, investigating the ecology of sawflies on farmland. She now works more widely in agroecosystems, and in the use and value of scientific evidence in order to support and underpin policy and management decision making, but keeps a strong interest in invertebrate ecology, particularly around the ecosystem services offered by invertebrates in farming systems.  She currently manages an MSc in Agroecology and Sustainable Management in Agriculture, and has various PhD students working on applied agricultural ecology.

Nicola authored The Biology of Agroecosystems, was a key author in the recent British Ecological Society ‘Regenerative Agriculture in the UK’, and is on the editorial board for Environmental Evidence, a journal for the publication of systematic reviews and evidence syntheses on the effectiveness of environmental management interventions and on the impact of human activities on the environment. She also Chairs an EU COST Action – the Network for Evidence-Synthesis in the Agri-food Sector.

Programme

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in partnering with us on this event. See packages available below, or contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk for more information.

Abstract submission

Abstract submission for talks is now closed. If you wish to present a poster, please contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk

Travel & Accommodation

Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ

Travelling by train:

Harpenden is 28 mins by Train from London St Pancras. Taxis are available on arrival at Harpenden station or it is a 10-15 min walk to Rothamsted Research.

Travelling by road:

Take J9 off the M1 and follow signs to Redbourn. Go past the Hertfordshire County Showground on your right. At the roundabout take the first exit and follow the B487 until the next roundabout. At the roundabout take the first exit onto the A1081, Rothamsted Research is signposted on your left.

The Conference Centre is a short walk from the entrance on your left. Ample free parking is available (follow the signs for conference parking).

Accommodation suggestions:

The Old Cock Inn Coaching House – 0.9 miles (limited rooms available)

Hilcote House Bed & Breakfast – 2 miles

Hyde Mill Bed & Breakfast – 3.1 miles

Aubrey Park Hotel – 4 miles

Luton Hoo Hotel – 4.2 miles

Clarion Collection Hotel – 4.7 miles

Premier Inn, Luton Town Centre – 7 miles

Registration

Note: By registering for and attending this event, you acknowledge that photographs and/or video recordings may be taken. These images may be used by the Royal Entomological Society for promotional, educational, and archival purposes, including publication on our website, social media, and printed materials. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform a member of the organising team on arrival or contact us in advance at events@royensoc.co.uk.  

Registration Deadline: 17:00 (BST), 1 July

Standard registration cost
RES Student	£30
RES Member	£60
RES Associate Member or Non Member	£100