Range of experts for our first rural research conference

The conference at Harper Adams University will seek to draw together a broad range of academic and practitioner papers and presentations to consider and inform rural land and property policy and practice, embracing a range of disciplines.

The conference programme will include prominent rural sector researchers and commentators, paper presentations, a guided walk, and a conference dinner with structured discussion.

There will also be a panel discussion and debate, along with generous catering and breakout periods to allow networking, and forging new contacts and strengthening old ones.

Things get under way at 4.30pm on the Tuesday, April 17, with registration and tea, followed by a campus walk and talk with Jim Waterson of Harper Adams. Afterwards there will be a chance for networking in a relaxed setting with drinks, dinner, and a guided discussion.

A host of speakers are lined up for the second day. Rick Brunt of the Health and Safety Executive will be talking about farming's poor health and safety record, and helping Britain's farmers to work well.

Then there is barrister Adam Corbin, of Michelmores Solicitors, whose paper is "Novel heads of loss in compulsory purchase claims pushing the boundaries of the six rules," while Samuel Kirby-Bray of Shropshire Council will be looking at energy systems for agriculture, the internet of things and smart control.

After mid-morning coffee Professor John Martin, of De Montfort University, and Dr James Bowen, of Lancaster University, examine "Historical perspectives on the challenges facing British agriculture, particularly weather, with lessons to build resilience."

I will talk afterwards on negligent valuation, taking us up to lunch. The afternoon fare kicks off with Robert Moore, of George F White Surveyors, whose subject is "Impact of farm tenancy length on land management: a comparative study." Jake Roston of Michelmores Solicitors will speak at 2.05pm on "Natural Capital - the legal framework" and then we have Dr Alan Wadsworth, of the Worcestershire Farmsteads Project, who will talk about recording historical farmsteads and give a project update.

Charles Cowap of Harper Adams will put Agricultural Property Relief in perspective, with a comparison of asset investment classes and then comes Mark Simcock, also of Harper Adams, on the subject of valuer behaviour.

There's a panel discussion at 4.45pm with Rick, Charles, Adam, and Mark and closing the conference is an optional pay-as-you-go pub supper at The Lamb, Edgmond, at 6pm.

Booking is through www.harper-adams.ac.uk/events/event.cfm?id=121

Carrie de Silva, Principal Lecturer/Post-graduate Co-ordinator - Land Management, at Harper Adams University