THE SOIL Association are hosting three online farming events to bring farmers together virtually during the pandemic.

This Friday, April 3, individuals are invited to join SA for a 'virtual tea break' to chat with other farmers about how they are getting on during the current challenges. This will happen online between 10.30am and 11.30am, and its agenda is: 'Talk lambing, calving, planting, sales, distribution, staffing and staying sane: whatever you like. Meet others, share experiences, swap tips, take a break. Everyone welcome. Bring your own cuppa. Hosted by our farming and land use manager Ana Allamand.'

There will also be a similar opportunity for farmers to 'drop in' to the virtual gathering on Wednesday, April 8 at a later time of 7pm till 8pm.

The SA's woodland event, due to be held onsite in Mull, will now also take place online at the end of April. A free interactive webinar 'Making Woodland Work for You' will look at woodland creation, management and funding on the west coast of Scotland.

The first part of the online event will look at photos from a visit to Crannich Farm on Mull, where Sam and Robin Sedgwick have been planting and managing trees for 17 years for wood fuel and shelter, as well as to increase farm wildlife and improve soil health. There will then be a video demonstration of planting, including mechanical tree planting, followed by a Q and A with Sam and Robin.

The second part of the event will host a Q and A on grant funding, tree species, planning and management with local crofters and representatives of the Woodland Trust and Scottish Forestry . There will also be a chance to be part of an online chat group following the event

For information on any of the above events and to register your interest to attend you can visit https://www.soilassociation.org/our-work-in-scotland/scotland-farming-programmes/events/