Whether you are a seasoned smallholder or new to the lifestyle the Smallholding Scotland conference will offer the latest information and techniques to ensure your holdings runs smoothly.

This is the third conference and it’s a great opportunity to come along and hear some great smallholding related talks, have a nice lunch and a chat with other smallholders before springtime, and the work it brings, is in full swing.

Smallholding Scotland is an educational and networking event aimed at smallholders and small-scale food producers, and organised by the non-profit Smallholder Events Scotland.

Conference sessions

Effective smallholding poultry

Conducted by Dr Oluyinka Olukosi, a senior researcher in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences group at Scotland’s Rural College. The talk will focus on minimising stress and stressors in poultry flock, using your diets as sources of nutrients and prebiotics, approaches to maximising production efficiency (focusing on product quantity and quality), as well as reducing nutrient waste.

Small scale horticulture: paying its way

Audrey Litterick will outline the opportunities for generating an income from small-scale horticulture production.

From field to smallholding: Kirsty Maguire will explain how good design and construction, resulting in exemplar eco-friendly homes, can be used to support planning application to allow building on rural sites.

Pigs in conservation: more than a one trick pony

Jack Flusk and Katie Swift will demonstrate how they support and enhance the conservation and management of landscapes through the use of pigs and actively support the conservation of British rare breed pigs, through the use of pedigree registered pigs for all management activities.

Animal health planning

Caroline Robinson talks about animal health planning for smallholders, where to start, the advantages and pitfalls and what facilities and habits to use when constructing a year round plan to protect the holding.

Business planning: planning for success

Demonstrated by Kara Craig, who is an agricultural consultant and deputy FAS team leader with SAC consulting solutions.

Tickets and pricing

Being held at Pitcairngreen Village Hall, near Perth, Friday, February 17, 2017

Smallholding Scotland is an all-day event with refreshments and lunch included in the ticket price of £25. Tickets are available to buy online now with payment by debit or credit card or PayPal at the Smallholding Scotland website. Last date for orders is February 15 - please note there will be no tickets available to purchase on the day.

The conference is organised as a single stream of six presentations throughout the day. All papers will be available to delegates online after the event.