Colin’s Soil Health Journey Earns National Recognition

Nurture N plays a key role in Colin's nitrogen programme, using a blend of fulvic and humic acids to enhance nitrogen use and improve nutrient efficiency. By helping crops make better use of applied nitrogen, it supports both crop performance and Colin's wider objective of getting more from every application while continuing to build healthier, more functional soils.

Throughout the season, Janus and Trinity provide readily available foliar nitrogen alongside complementary nutrients, allowing Colin to support crop growth when demand is greatest. Trinity also supplies magnesium and sulphur, helping to maintain photosynthetic efficiency and overall crop health during periods of rapid growth.
Micronutrient nutrition is equally important within the programme. Pulsar provides a balanced package of essential trace elements, ensuring crops have access to the micronutrients required to support healthy growth and maximise the efficiency of the major nutrients already being applied.

Building crop resilience is another key objective. Rampart, AIVA's potassium silicate, helps strengthen the crop throughout the season, while Armour, containing salicylic acid, supports the plant's natural defence mechanisms and improves its ability to cope with environmental stresses.

Rather than relying on any one product, Colin's programme brings together biologicals, efficient nitrogen management, balanced foliar nutrition, micronutrients and plant resilience products to complement his wider soil management strategy. Combined with years of investment in soil health through practices such as reduced cultivation, cover cropping and continual learning, this integrated approach has helped create a resilient farming system where healthier soils and healthier crops work hand in hand.

One of Colin's greatest strengths is his willingness to learn. He is constantly seeking out new ideas, listening to the experiences of other growers and questioning whether there is a better way of doing things. That mindset is exactly what drew him to enter the Soil Farmer of the Year Awards.

Speaking after receiving his award at Groundswell, Colin said:

I didn't enter Soil Farmer of the Year to win it; I entered it for the knowledge exchange. Every farm is different, and there's always something new to learn from other people and their experiences

That quote perfectly captures Colin's approach to farming. While finishing third in a national competition is a tremendous achievement, for Colin the real reward is the opportunity to share ideas, learn from others and continue improving. It is this attitude of continuous learning that has helped shape his farming business and earned him the respect of fellow growers across the industry.

At AIVA, we are proud to have supported Colin throughout part of his soil health journey. His achievement reflects years of dedication, innovation and investment in his soils, and we are delighted that our nutritional programme has played a supporting role in helping him build healthier crops, healthier soils and a more resilient farming system.

Becky Willson, Business Development and Technical Director at Farm Carbon Toolkit, shared that all the winners and finalists demonstrated an extraordinary level of dedication to managing soil health.

Year on year, we meet farmers through this competition who are thinking outside the box and trying new ways to improve soil structure, build organic matter and enhance microbial activity,” she says. “What’s particularly encouraging is that these changes aren’t just improving soil health, but also reducing costs, increasing resilience and helping businesses cope with increasingly unpredictable weather.

Please join us in celebrating all the applicants for the 2026 Soil Farmer of the Year Award. Without their commitment, innovation, and perseverance in driving positive change, the transition towards a more regenerative and holistic agricultural industry would be far less advanced.

Special commendations go to Chris Molyneux, this year's winner, and Paul Baker, runner-up. Your achievements are a testament to the positive impact that progressive soil management can have on both farming businesses and the wider environment. We look forward to following the next steps of your journey and the continued success of your farming enterprises.

1st – Chris Molyneux (Lancashire): Improved soil health and resilience in vegetable production through legume-rich cover crops, strip tillage and controlled traffic farming.

2nd – Paul Baker (Devon): Combined tissue analysis, cover crops, mob grazing and reduced cultivation to cut inputs and reduce diesel use by 75% while maintaining yields.

3rd – Colin Chappell (Lincolnshire): Used reduced tillage and cover cropping to improve water infiltration, reduce flooding risk and lower nitrogen use without affecting output.

The secret to maximising your yields isn't what you think. Top farms are turning to AIVA to completely transform their land from the ground up. Ready to see what your soil is actually capable of? Contact our team today to claim your unfair advantage!