Our approach at Ragmans

Our approach is focused on increased system health by improving soil and plant fertility.  We encourage life and diversity from the micro-level (microbes and minerals) up to macro-level (people!) creating more sustainable farming practices. Much of our thinking at Ragmans has been developed by Juanfran Lopez (left) who has studied and taught in Europe and South America. These techniques were originally introduced by Jairo Restrepo (right), who continues his relationship with Ragmans, teaching here every summer. Our video - Harvesting the Sun introduces Jairo and his thinking. This article also explains our approach in more detail. 

Our goal is to measure the effectiveness of these biological techniques on system biology and mineral balance on plant and soil health.

In addition to this we are developing a high quality range of preparations and techniques such as biofertilisers, bokashi, aerobic teas, mineral chelations, mychorriza, chromatography, lactic acid bacteria, and native microbe reproduction among others methods…. We wish to offer a service tweaking these techniques into specific land situations with local farmers.

This section of our website is a bit complex. We have put some of the tools that we use in the section below. We have also gone into detail with our fertilisation plan for the orchards as it shows how we actually apply these tools. We would welcome comments!

  • Weekend Practical Biofertiliser & Fermenting Course

    with Juanfran Lopez at Ragmans Lane Farm 

    5-6th March 2022

    A chance to learn how to regenerate farm and garden systems using home produced Biofertiliser, Native micro organisms, Aerobic and Anaerobic compost teas.

    The weekend will be practically orientated and there will be a chance to discuss and learn principles, objectives and strategies of Regenerative Agriculture.

    Over the course of the weekend we will be collecting native microbes to make cheap but effective natural fertilisers and tonics for the plant and soil.

    The course will cover:-

    * understanding holistic system health

    * microbes, ferments and fertilisers

    * plant health and mineral brews

    * hydrolates, seed coating and lactobacillus

    By the end of the weekend you will have the practical knowledge to make your own preparations at home, and a ‘starter kit’ of resources to take home with you including a fresh and mature batch of native microbes and biofertiliser for diluted use.

    "Good mix between technical and practical, science and simple!"

    Juanfran Lopez has studied with the Columbian Jairo Restrepo, one of the leading teachers of microbial preparations for healthy biological systems. Juanfran has also travelled through South America, Africa and Spain specializing in regenerative agriculture, learning and teaching as he travels. He was based at Ragmans researching and running trials on our orchards and garden. He is now studying for a PhD at Madrid University.

    For further information - Click here for Juanfran's website.

    Who should attend: Farmers, gardeners and small scale growers.

    "Great all round picture of soil biology to support understanding of practices"

    "Great environment with practical demonstrations, as well as academic. Enjoyed it and learnt loads"

    "Can't wait to get started"

    Food and Accommodation included.

    Saturday arrivals 9.30am, course commences at 10am until 5pm

    Sunday 9.30am until approx 4pm.

    For further information on making biofertilisers do have a read of our article "Make your own Biofertiliser" published in the Permaculture Magazine.

    For more information about our Soil research work please see this blog article published on the Soil Association website

    See the side bar for information on Juanfran's book 'The Biofertiliser Manual'.


    £250.00


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