Farmers and agricultural students from across Suffolk are invited to a special conference in Ipswich looking at regenerative methods aimed at boosting wildlife and soil health.
The town's new Museum of the Environment (MOTE) is hosting the event, which takes place on Friday, November 24, from 10am.
The conference will hear from farmers practising regenerative farming as well as advice on how to farm in protected landscapes.
Suffolk County Councillor Debbie Richards is organising the event and hopes it will appeal to the council's own farm tenants as well as to the wider farming community.
There will be a selection of speakers on regenerative farming including practitioners and advisory organisations there to explain the government’s current thinking on farm payments.
Although the county has large urban spaces such as Ipswich, it is predominantly agricultural.
With England ranked in the bottom 10% of countries for biodiversity - and huge losses in wildlife and plant species since the 1970s - government is now trying to reverse the trend.
The county is proud of its Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and aspires to be the Greenest County, said Councillor Richards, who feels the event could help the wider agricultural economy.
"Any changes in farm land use and farming techniques will have a significant impact on biodiversity," she said.
"The government is backing its commitment to healing the environment by giving financial incentives to farmers for environmentally friendly projects."
Farmers will also hear about ways to improve soil quality and changes to government farm payment incentives.
The Museum of the Environment (MOTE) - launched this year - was the brainchild of Peter and Alina Gwizdala - owners of the building currently occupied by Arlingtons restaurant.
Councillor Richards, a Conservative representing St Margaret's and Westgate, supported MOTE with her locality budget and is now a voluntary member of the management team.
Other voluntary members include Councillor Sandy Martin and Charles Croyden of Friends of the Earth.
As well as wanting to regenerate Ipswich as a county town, Ms Richards felt there was also scope for organising a regenerative farming conference to help the wider agricultural economy.
Suffolk County Council is the third largest landowner in Suffolk, having purchased land following the first and second World Wars to provide jobs and homes to soldiers returning from the front.
It currently has 127 tenants, half of whom are on long term lease contracts.
The council would like its farm tenants to farm in an environmentally friendly way, and she hoped the conference would raise awareness of regenerative farming techniques among them as well as among other independent farmers and agricultural students from Otley College.
The event runs from 10.30am to 5pm. Delegates are welcome to stay for an evening meal or drinks at the venue. The ticket price is £25 for regular delegates and £18 for students including coffee and a buffet lunch.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
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