TOM KNOWLES co-runs a 150-hectare mixed farm in Oxfordshire that has shifted from dairy to regenerative arable farming. Tom grows wheat and barley without pesticides or fungicides, focusing on building soil health through compost extracts, herbal leys, and careful monitoring of plant nutrition. 

In this episode, Neil visits Tom to learn about his innovative approach to soil management, including mixing compost tea with herbicides to repopulate microbes, growing beans alongside wheat to reduce nitrogen inputs, and working with Thames Water to protect water quality while maintaining profitability.

Listen and you’ll hear: the background to his farm (0m53s); his approach to growing crops (5m03); his approach to weeds (8m49s); marketing his produce (16m40s); how he measures the health of his plants (20m39s); reducing the amount of nitrates going into the water (26m15s); looking around the farm (30m31s).

Follow Tom’s farm on Instagram: www.instagram.com/village_farm_emmington

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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