FARMERS and landowners will see a biodynamic farming system on Thursday when North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group holds a farm walk at Botton Village, Danby, by courtesy of the Camphill Village Trust.

The event has been organised to provide an introduction to the role of reed beds for water treatment and pollution control on farms as well as diversification enterprises such as the expansion of B&B business or holiday cottages.

Botton Village is a self-contained community, practising a biodynamic farming system. The reed bed sewage system has been established for just over three years.

The event will cover the background to Botton Village, including the biodynamic farming system; the principles behind the reed bed systems, and how they work; a description and design of the pond system at Botton; the opportunities for using reed beds to treat effluent/dirty water on conventional farms, and treating septic tank effluent.

The role of the Environment Agency and the required procedure for reed bed creation will be explained and the value of reed beds for wildlife and the environment will be discussed.

Speakers will include Stephen Boothroyd from Botton Village; Andrew Joiner, designer and engineer and senior partner of Iris Water, which designed the sewage treatment system at Botton; John Robinson of the Environment Agency and Karen Stanley of FWAG.

The event, which starts at 1.30, is open to everyone. Booking is not essential, but FWAG would appreciate an idea of numbers to arrange appropriate facilities. The coffee bar will be open for anyone who would like refreshments