| On Topic
Liz Bowles co-ordinating compost tea field lab
Sophie Alexander - Hemsworth farm
of micro-organism in soil that forms symbiotic
relationships with plants roots, breaking down
complex carbon compounds and returning nitrogen
to the soil – which subsequently allows the crop to
absorb more nitrogen and phosphorous, essential as
fertiliser.
Sophie Alexander, of Hemsworth Farm, said; “I first
read about the compost tea brewer a few years ago
and was intrigued. Through the Soil Association I
found out about the Innovative Farmers group, and
discovered that I wasn’t alone in my fascination. I
joined the group and ran trials across 40 ha of spring
barley at Hemsworth – I had initially thought of trialling
compost teas off the back of a quad bike with a backpack sprayer!
“I will be continuing with the Innovative Farmers
group as although we have had amazing results t