CHCx3 Winter Conference 2026

Date: 2nd-3rd December 2026
Location: Sophi Taylor Building, Niab, Park Farm Campus, Villa Road, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9AT

Join us to discover the findings from the four-year Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping project. Hear from project partners, growers who have been involved with the trials and guest speakers as they discuss the project outcomes and what they mean for working towards reduced carbon emissions.

Book Day One only

Book Day Two only

Book both days

Agenda

Wednesday 2^nd December

10:30	Arrival and refreshments
10:45	Welcome and project overview	Dr Lydia Smith, Niab
11:00	Session 1 Herbal leys Learnings from the two 3-year herbal ley trials that we have been assessing in Cambridge and the Cotswolds.	Ian Wilkinson, FarmED Paul Totterdell, Cotswold Seeds Jed Soleiman, Cotswold Seeds
11:45	Session 2 Cover cropping – what have we learnt? We will be sharing the results of three sequential cover crop trials hosted across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Kent.	Dr Nathan Morris, Niab Jasmine Toole, Niab Dr Lydia Smith, Niab
12:30	Lunch and networking
13:30	Session 3 A conversation about biomass crops What have we learnt about miscanthus, willow and poplar?	William Cracroft-Eley, Terravesta Kevin Lindegaard, Willow Solutions William MacAlpine, Forestry Commission Chris Ashman, Aberystwyth University
14:30	Refreshment break
14:45	Session 4 Soil health and carbon foot-printing Learn about the carbon foot-printing process with project case studies which feature the different focus crops.	Tim Dart, Farm Carbon Toolkit
15:45	Day summary and closing round table	Dr Lydia Smith and guest
16:15	Day end

Thursday 3^rd December 2026

9:30	Arrival and refreshments
9:45	Welcome and project overview. Recap of Day 1.	Dr Lydia Smith, Niab
10:00	Session 1 New hemp variety Learn about a new hemp variety that has been bred and how it compares to other available varieties in the field.	Professor Ian Graham and Dr Madhura Bhat, University of York and Dr Lydia Smith, Niab
10:45	Session 2 Fibre growers Q&A Hear from our fibre crop growers as they share their experiences of growing industrial hemp and flax.	Ryan McCormack, Grimsthorpe Farm and growers
11:30	Refreshment break
11:45	Session 3 Bio-based materials Interactive session with industry member who are producing bio-based materials from crops such as hemp and flax. Show audience how they can use these alternative products.	Biorenewables Development Centre, BioSolutions, Natural Building Systems and Bitrez
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Session 4 Environmental Performance Assessment Guide Tool This tool has been developed by BDC. This will be a workshop on how to use the tool. It is relevant to growers and stakeholders.	Biorenewables Development Centre
14:15	Session 5 Do high carbon capture crops capture high amounts of carbon? Enjoy a lively discussion around the findings of the project and what this means in the wider context of soil health.	Farm Carbon Toolkit
15:00	Closing summary of the day	Dr Lydia Smith and guest
15:30	Day end