IPM in Action: From Research to Practice in Horticultural Crops

This webinar, presented in collaboration between Soil Association, Soil Association Scotland and the Organic Growers Alliance, will combine some of the latest research in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) grounded in a practical, implementable approach. We will look at building a balanced IPM system through biological control, plant diversity, biodiversity, weather-based pest forecasts and findings from citizen scientists.

Our speakers:

Steven Jacobs - Co-ordinator, Organic Growers Alliance

Steven has been working in food and farming for 30+ years. In 2025 he left his role as development manager at Organic Farmers & Growers to take up the full time post of Co-ordinator for the OGA. A co-founder of UK Grain Lab, and the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference, Steven is co-deputy chair of the Welsh Organic Forum, and chair of the UK Fruit & Veg. Coalition.

Andy Dibben - Head Grower, Abbey Home Farm

Andy has been working in organic horticulture for 17 years and is Head Grower at Abbey Home Farm. Over the last year 8 years he has integrated trees into Glasshouse, Market Garden, and Fieldscale veg production areas and recently co-authored a book 'Silvohorticulture' with Ben Raskin.

Professor Rosemary Collier - University of Warwick

Rosemary's main research interest is in the development and application of Integrated Pest Management strategies for horticultural crops. Areas of research include application of novel pesticides and biopesticides, biological control, host-plant resistance (in collaboration with colleagues at Warwick (VeGIN (warwick.ac.uk)), methods of physical control and approaches that influence pests through increased plant diversity in the cropping system (companion planting, intercropping, trap crops, conservation biocontrol).

Dave Barfoot - Head grower Tyninghame Community Farm.

With 10 years of growing experience, Dave first started on larger farms and field scale growing, then scaling down to a two acre CSA in 2022. Dave is the Head Grower at Tyninghame Community Farm in East Lothian, where he manages a veg box scheme and wholesale customer base on a 2 acre Community Farm.

Agenda

1pm - Introduction from Steven Jacobs

1.10pm - Andy Dibben: Andy will cover a range of strategies employed at Abbey Home Farm looking at biodiversity, a plant's natural defences, rotation, economic benefit and why he prefers to use the term Natural Pest Management

1.30pm - Rosemary Collier: Rosemary will cover some of the latest research in IPM and how this can be utilised by growers

1.45pm - Dave Barfoot: Dave will share the practical ways he integrates IPM on a small site that’s always tight on space. Sharing tips and tricks for integrating IPM into small operations

2pm - Audience Q&A

2.30pm - Close

We encourage attendees to bring their questions to the panel through the Q&A, where there will be plenty of time for discussion. Whether you're an experienced grower or exploring new approaches, this session offers insights you can take straight back to your system.

IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is a key component of the Whole Farm Plan (WFP), which is now a requirement for farmers and crofters in Scotland in receipt of the Basic Payment Scheme. The Soil Association Scotland 'Planning for Change' project is a Scottish Government KTIF funded project to support peer-to-peer knowledge exchange among farmers in preparation for the Whole Farm Plan requirement.

The Organic Growers Alliance is a network of growers, farmers and horticulturalists. The OGA is a peer-to-peer support network run by growers for growers. A place to exchange information and learn - the OGA represents our members. https://organicgrowersalliance.co.uk/

This technical webinar is part of our Agroecology at Scale Programme, part of the ground-breaking Farm to Fork Partnership between Ocado and Soil Association which has been established to help transform the way we eat, farm and care for our natural world.

Recording and photography

Please be advised that recording and/or photography by Soil Association may take place at this event. To decline consent, you can get in touch with us at info.farmingandlanduse@soilassociation.org

Data protection

Soil Association takes data protection very seriously and will only collect essential data from participants necessary to use for the running of this event.

The Soil Association's full privacy policy is available here: https://www.soilassociation.org/privacy-policy/

By registering for this event you agree to the terms and conditions stated in our privacy policy. If you have any queries please contact: info.farmingandlanduse@soilassociation.org