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The Waitrose Centre

Waitrose Responsible Agronomy Course

1-5 November 2010
Lakeside Hotel
Newby Bridge, Cumbria

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Overview

This one week residential course has been developed to introduce a benchmark standard across the Waitrose supply chain of fresh agricultural products in the understanding of environmentally sound, high quality food production worldwide.

Who should attend?

The course has been designed to make significant use of the experience in the room. As such we welcome people at all stages of their technical career within supply chain companies, whether new recruit or seasoned hand, alongside those in the non-technical, sales, buying or general commercial roles.

How long will the course last?

You will register before lunch on Monday, with the formal programme starting immediately after lunch.

The course will finish at lunch time on Friday. Additional nights stay (at preferential rates) can be booked for the weekends prior to and following the course. Ideal for those wishing to arrive the night before or for those wishing to take the opportunity to spend a weekend in the Lake District.

Is the course accredited?

Yes. The course attracts BASIS CPD points and is also accredited with 10 credits at level C by Lancaster University.

What does the course cover?

The programme will include discussions of the following issues:

Pesticides and alternative means of pest and disease control

  • Pest and disease resistance
  • GM
  • Functional biodiversity
  • IPM
  • Legislation

Water

  • Physiology of plants in relation to water intake and use
  • Growing plants in water-scarce regions
  • Waste water/recycling
  • Measurement and optimum storage capacity within varying soil types for plant development
  • Identification of field/farm runoff in varying topographies

Nutrients

  • Increasing the fertiliser use efficiency in agriculture
  • Use of manures and link between nutrients and manures,
  • Use of wastes and waste water
  • Soil carbon and organic matter

Improving the marketable yield upon farms

  • Sustainable intensification
  • Crop Quality
  • Post harvest biology
  • Methods to identify local/regional authenticity
  • Models for total farm input/yield assessment

Soils

  • The role of soils in the UK farm system
  • The role of soils in the production of food quality
  • Soil compaction - early diagnostic procedures
  • Composting and the application of varying composted materials for soil structure
  • Nitrogen measurement within soils
  • Farm tillage for optimum carbon lock

Agro-ecology

  • The role of biodiversity and ecosystem function
  • Consistent biodiversity assessment regarding indicator species
  • Awareness of non-native species on UK farmland
  • Habitat and ecosystem management
  • Invasive spp

Speakers will focus on examples from UK horticulture/agriculture but where appropriate we will look at international agriculture for examples of good practice or for situations where particular problems have arisen.

How will the course be taught?

Rather than a string of boring lectures, each session within each theme is designed to be as interactive as possible, taking the form in the main of workshops, allowing opportunity for discussion and an ability to ask questions throughout. An important feature of the sessions is the use of the experience in the room.

What horticultural crops will the course focus on?

The course doesn’t take particular crops as a focus, although case studies will be drawn from across the diversity of commodities which people on the course will be supplying into Waitrose. This will include consideration of UK, European and worldwide production of fruits, vegetables and other horticultural products.

How much will the course cost?

The course will cost £1850. This includes all accommodation and meals from arrival on Monday morning to depature on Friday, and all tuition costs. This fee does not attract VAT (and is therefore zero rated).

Where will the course take place?

The course has taken place since 2005 at Lakeside Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere at the heart of the Lake District in Cumbria. The hotel is one of the most popular 4-star hotels in the region and provides the highest standard of accommodation, facilities and food.

Can I just attend for a particular day?

No, unfortunately not. The course has been designed as an integrated residential programme over 5 days.

Will I need to do any work prior to or after the course?

Further details of any preparatory work will follow in good time before the course. While no advance work will be required, it might be desirable for you to bring particular documents and information with you, which should be easily available from your company. Following the course each student will be expected to complete a short assessment.

The assessment is designed to help you consider how you might or have already begun to consider and use the new understanding developed as a result of the course, in your professional role. This assessment will be awarded a percentage mark which you will receive together with an award certificate and a group photograph with fellow students.

When do I need to register by?

Registration will open on the 9th August 2010. The closing date for registration is the 17th September 2010.

How do I register?

Registration will be via an online registration system which will be available from the 9th August 2010.

Please complete the on-line registration form. Once received this information will be used to raise an invoice for payment by your company.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancellations can only be received up to 8 weeks in advance of the course. Cancellations after this date will not result in a refund.

Who do I contact for further information?

If you need any further information, then please contact either Judith Catt by email (j.catt@lancaster.ac.uk) or on 01524 510204 or Becky Gordon by email (b.gordon@lancaster.ac.uk) or on 01524 510214.