Dr. Alistair Thorne is a FACTs and BASIS qualified agronomist holding a PhD in Soil Microbiology from the University of Reading. With 22 years of experience, he currently advises large-scale arable estates on reducing synthetic inputs while maintaining yield stability. He is a leading voice on fungal network restoration and nitrogen efficiency in the UK.
Dr. Alistair Thorne is a distinguished independent agronomist and soil scientist dedicated to bridging the gap between academic soil biology and practical arable farming. Holding a PhD in Soil Microbiology from the University of Reading and a BSc in Agriculture from Newcastle University, Alistair has spent the last two decades working with some of the UK's most progressive estates to implement regenerative systems. He previously served as a Senior Technical Advisor for a major agronomy firm before establishing his own consultancy to focus purely on biological farming methods. His expertise lies in interpreting complex soil interactions, specifically how fungal hyphae networks can be preserved during tillage operations and how to maximize nutrient uptake without excessive synthetic nitrogen. Alistair is fully FACTS and BASIS qualified, ensuring his advice is grounded in rigorous safety and environmental standards. He frequently writes for agricultural journals on the nuances of cover crop termination, intercropping strategies for protein boost, and the practical application of biostimulants. His mission is to help farmers move away from calendar-based chemical applications toward a reactive, observation-based approach that prioritizes long-term soil structure and biological fertility.