​

Workshop: Farm scale anaerobic digestion

​​

• Thursday 4 June 2026, 10:00 - 16:30

• Askham Bryan College (location details will be supplied closer to the event)

• Free to attend for Bioeconomy Cluster members - lunch and refreshments provided

• Spaces are limited and by application only

The York and North Yorkshire region is highly significant for UK agriculture – we have almost
7000 commercial farms producing around 20% of the UK’s agri-food. There is huge potential
for our region to use anaerobic digesters to create low carbon farms. This technology helps
to reduce the environmental impact of the food produced, as well as farm energy costs and a
reliance on fossil-based fertilisers.

​

This one-day workshop provides updates on recent advances in farm scale anaerobic
digestion (AD) and includes a visit to the Biolectric farm scale unit. In addition, there will be
plenty of networking opportunities, together with a discussion forum focussed on how to
overcome the main challenges to realise the potential of this technology.

​

Who should attend? Anyone with an interest in farm scale AD: farmers, consultants,
researchers, policy makers, investors etc. Our meetings are a diverse mix of stakeholders –
we aim to provide talks that deliver an overview and encourage further conversations. We
also invite delegates to offer a short talk on an interesting challenge or opportunity – details
are on the application form.

Workshop organisers:

• Christine Parry, ABAgri

• Lucy Hopwood, Alder Bioinsights

• Prof. James Chong, CEAD, University of York

• Dr Caroline Calvert, YNY Bioeconomy Cluster

• Tracey Taylor Preston, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Workshop agenda​

• 9:45 Arrival: Coffee, tea and connections

• 10:20 Welcome and introduction to the sub-group

• 10:30 Knowledge exchange: 15 minute talks from industry experts​

  • Lucy Hopwood, Alder Bioinsights – Overview of anaerobic digestion
    opportunities

  • Richard Gueterbock, Foodchains – Farm of the Future

  • Joe Mann, AD Ingenuity – Process stability vs. process efficiency and the
    cost of operation

  • Gary Hague, Biolectric – Biolectric on farm AD units​

• 11:50 Flash talks from Cluster members: 5-minute snapshots of opportunities, challenges and ideas around areas such as skills, regulatory matters, investment etc. 

• 12:30 Lunch and networking

• 13:30 Discussion groups on key challenges 

• 14:30 Report back and consensus

• 15:15 Break and refreshments

• 15:45 Future sub-group activities

• 16:30 Meeting close

​

The closing date for applications is 18th May. A waiting list will operate for those not initially successful.

An agenda and confirmation of offered Flash Talks will be shared week commencing 18th May.

How to apply

​To apply, please complete the form below or if you have any questions, contact Dr Caroline Calvert, Bioeconomy Cluster Manager by email at bioeconomy-cluster@york.ac.uk