FARMERS can expect some practical advice on coping with climate change at an event next month (November).
The final speaker for the South of England Agricultural Society's autumn conference has been named. It is Doctor Gillian Alker, a leading authority on bio-fuels, who will address the gathering in Ardingly on Tuesday 13th November, starting at 6.00pm.
She will share the platform with Peter Kendall, the president of the National Farmers' Union, and climate change expert Professor Philip Stott from the University of London.
Dr Alker completed her PhD, in the environmental effects of Energy cropping, at Imperial College, London. Looking for a more hands-on approach to her field, she joined the specialist TV Energy group in 2003.
There she has made her mark in the industry, and founded the Short Rotation Coppice Group, operating in the Thames Valley. Dr Alker now manages the fuel trading arm of TV Energy and will give a practically-based talk to the region's farmers gathered in Ardingly.
A lively debate is promised, especially given Dr Alker's strong views on the current thinking about bio-fuels as alternative energy. These are likely to be at odds with those of the other panel members present and will allow a frank exchange on this topic of great importance to the industry.
Tickets for the event are free, and should be ordered from the agricultural society. Email wiz@seas.org.uk or telephone 01444 892700.
