We were delighted to welcome Kate Still, Head of Farming at the Soil Association, who delivered an insightful guest lecture to our A Level Environmental Science students.
Kate introduced the concept of regenerative farming systems, emphasising the importance of soil health as the foundation of sustainable agriculture. She explained how soil is at the heart of organic systems, supporting not only crop growth but also biodiversity and environmental resilience.
The session explored how regenerative practices, such as building long retentive phases through thoughtful crop rotations, help to restore and maintain soil structure, fertility, and carbon retention. She also discussed the impacts of soil nutrients and biodiversity on healthy plant development, whilst highlighting the Soil Association’s strong emphasis on high animal welfare; ensuring livestock are raised to high living standards as part of a healthy farm ecosystem.
As the leader of the Soil Association's farming team, Kate shared her involvement in a European project focused on innovation in organic farming. Her team works actively on knowledge exchange, supporting farmers through case studies, training, events, and the development of technical resources. This collaborative approach is helping farmers to grow in confidence and adopt more sustainable, future-facing farming methods.
The lecture also touched on the importance of government support in providing payment incentives to encourage environmentally friendly farming practices.
To close the session, Kate gave an inspiring, career-focused talk, outlining the variety of roles within the Soil Association; from research and policy to education and farm support, encouraging students to consider pathways into the growing sector of sustainable agriculture.
Charlie Colenso, the Environmental Science lecturer at Weston College, expressed her gratitude to the Soil Association for taking the time to visit our students, saying, “Guest speakers bring real-world insight to A-level learners, allowing them to apply their classroom knowledge to practical scenarios, as well as opening their eyes to a range of career paths and further study opportunities they may not have considered.
“This workshop provided students with useful information regarding soil and the impacts it has on agriculture. Although they haven’t yet covered the Soil chapter in their course, this workshop gave them an excellent preview into the benefits of nutrient-rich soil in a hands-on activity. They said they particularly enjoyed learning about the potential career pathways in the growing sector of sustainable agriculture.”
This was a fantastic opportunity for students to not only expand their knowledge on certain areas of their course, but also network with industry professionals to discuss possible opportunities with the Soil Association.
A big thank you to the Soil Association for visiting our A Level Environmental Science students!
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