October 27, 2011

A new future farming centre will be launched at Lincoln University next week.

The future farming centre (FFC) is part of the Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust at the university and will be dedicated to permanent, organic, sustainable and ecological farming.
Head of research and extension Dr Charles Merfield said the future farming centre was an exciting step forward for the Biological Husbandry Unit.
“Globally we need to re-think the way we currently produce our food and fibre, to ensure future generations can meet their needs.
“Having a centre dedicated to sustainable and ecological agriculture and horticulture will assist farmers, growers and other stakeholders’ transition to a new way of meeting present needs without compromising future needs.”
The centre will help mainstream agriculture transition to a new model to meet both current and future needs of humanity and the planet.
It will be launched on October 31 by Lincoln University’s Chancellor, Tom Lambie, himself an organic farmer.
As part of the official ceremony, Dr Merfield will be speaking and covering aspects around soil husbandry; what the post-pesticide era will entail; why nitrogen fertilisers are a problem, not a solution; and the importance of ethics in agriculture.
Established in 1976 and re-launched in 2001 as a charity, the Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust’s role is to undertake research and promotion of organic and holistic management through: education and training, research and development and extension activities.