Transforming Agroecosystems Together
Programme Overview
Join us remotely at the Czech University of Life Sciences, with three days of webinar sessions on important topics to choose from! Sessions will share interdisciplinary perspectives and learnings on collective and technical approaches to improving farmland ecosystem services and biodiversity at a landscape scale, across Europe and the UK. These webinars sessions are grounded in the experience and expertise of the H2020 FRAMEwork project, sharing knowledge from its five year journey.
Session 1 : Discover the Farmer Cluster model
Learn how collective, interdisciplinary approaches can revolutionise landscape-scale biodiversity management. This session offers a comprehensive introduction to the concept, evolution, and practical implementation of Farmer Clusters - concluding with valuable reflections from stakeholders in their own words. Perfect for anyone interested in joined-up approaches to landscape-scale biodiversity management and learning from the Farmer Cluster model.
Session 2 : Tools for Transformation
Dive into some examples of practical resources empowering landscape-scale biodiversity management. Discover useful training materials, citizen science engagement strategies, biodiversity monitoring tools, and ecosystem assessment methodologies. Learn about leveraging digital knowledge exchange through data hubs and online platforms via case studies and discussions. Perfect for anyone exploring leveraging and sharing vital knowledge to help stakeholders understand and improve agroecosystems.
Session 3 : Context and Future Directions
Zoom out to explore the broader contexts in which collective approaches to landscape-scale biodiversity management operate. This forward-looking session examines social-ecological systems, land use considerations, and natural capital approaches to valuing agrobiodiversity. Discover methodologies for measuring success, from cluster maturity to sustainability assessments, concluding with a stimulating discussion on future opportunities and challenges. Perfect for anyone interested in understanding the systemic factors, valuation methods, and evaluation frameworks that influence collective biodiversity management initiatives.
Event Series | Explore
Please note all times are in CEST
Tuesday, May 13th: Session 1
11:00 Introduction to H2020 FRAMEwork
Overview of the project's approach to enhancing biodiversity-sensitive farming at a landscape scale, through Farmer Clusters .
Dr Graham Begg, FRAMEwork Project Coordinator
(The James Hutton Institute)
11:15 Understanding Farmer Clusters – Background & Evolution
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History of Farmer Clusters, perceived benefits, and reference
to other similar approaches
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Introduction to FRAMEwork's new network of Advanced
Farmer Clusters
Dr Niamh McHugh (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust)
11:45 Experiences from the Field: Facilitators & Farmers
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Velké HostÄ›rádky Farmer Cluster (Czechia), Facilitator Jan Travnicek
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Burgenland Farmer Cluster (Austria), Facilitator Aliyeh Salehi
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Open Discussion incl. audience Q+A
12:20 Voices from the field: reflections on Farmer Clusters
Exploring common successes and challenges observed by stakeholders,
in their own words.
Alastair Simmons (Taskscape Associates)
12:55 Closing Remarks
Dr Graham Begg, FRAMEwork Project Coordinator
(The James Hutton Institute)
Please note all times are in CEST
Wednesday, May 14th: Session 2
11:00 Welcome
​
Dr Graham Begg, FRAMEwork Project Coordinator
(The James Hutton Institute)
11:10 Empowering Knowledge Implementation:
Methods, tools and resources supporting collective, and interdisciplinary, approaches to landscape-scale intervention.
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Farmer Cluster Training Materials: Guidelines and Training Course Dr Niamh McHugh (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust)
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Citizen Science Materials: Strategies for engagement and best-practice protocols Gerid Hager (The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)
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Biodiversity Monitoring: Methods and tools for tracking impact Lisette Cantu (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology)
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Introducing the FEAST tool for Farmland Ecosystem Assessment Doug Warner and John Tzilivakis (University of Hertfordshire)
12:20 Evaluating Knowledge Implementation: methods, tools and resources.
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Discussion incl. audience Q+A , on the relevance of these resources
and gaps in wider resource provision.
14:00 Empowering Knowledge Exchange:
Introducing Recodo: Exploring a new knowledge and action platform for stakeholders at the frontiers of farming and biodiversity.
Gerid Hager, Lindsay Crockett (The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis), Theo Simmons (Taskscape Associates)
Introducing the FRAMEwork Data Hub: a data accessibility tool
Berta Giralt (Centro De Investigacion Ecologica Y Aplicaciones Forestales)
14:30 Evaluating Knowledge Exchange:
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Panel Discussion, including audience Q+A, considering opportunities and gaps across the digital landscape.
14:55 Closing Remarks
Dr Graham Begg, FRAMEwork Project Coordinator
(The James Hutton Institute)
Please note all times are in CEST
Thursday, May 15th: Session 3
11:00 Welcome
Graham Begg, FRAMEwork Project Coordinator (The James Hutton Institute)
11:05 Farmer Clusters in Context: Social-ecological Systems
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The systems perspective
Trinity Ndlovu (The James Hutton Institute)
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Land Abandonment
Camilla Moonen (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies - Pisa)
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Habitat modelling
Laura Mansier (University of Amsterdam)
11:35 Farmer Clusters in Context: Valuing Agrobiodiversity
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Natural asset profiling and valuation
Simone Martino (The James Hutton Institute)
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Public incentives for farmer clusters
Thomas Rellensmann (University of Osnabrueck)
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Private incentives and green financing
Moritz Fritschle (University of Osnabrueck)
12:05 Farmer Clusters in Context: Measuring Impact & Success
​
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The workings of a cluster - maturity and success factors
Professor Iris Bohnet (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague)
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Biodiversity assessment methods and results
Dr Niamh McHugh (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust)
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Sustainability assessment methodologies
Rachel Nichols (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust)
12:35 Farmer Clusters in Context: The Future - Opportunities,
Challenges & Learnings
Open discussion and Q+A for all preceding talks in Session 3 - considering lessons learned and the future eg. policy, scaling up opportunities and challenges in each of the topic areas.
12:55 Closing Remarks
Dr Graham Begg, FRAMEwork Project Coordinator
(The James Hutton Institute)