Agronomy Training Ltd.
Directors Simon Goodger and Chris Tolley work closely with the wider team to deliver the training courses offered by Agronomy Training Ltd. The profiles below provide background information on key members of the team and the experience they bring to our programmes.
Simon Goodger grew up on his family’s farm in the Norfolk Fens before moving to Lincolnshire in 1981, where he built a career in agricultural education. He has been delivering BASIS & FACTS courses for more than 30 years, initially through his long association with the University of Lincoln. In 2023, Simon partnered with Chris Tolley to establish Agronomy Training Ltd, working closely with the University to provide a wide range of short courses for professionals across the agricultural sector. When not working, Simon spends lot of time in his garden trying, often unsuccessfully, to grow vegetables for the family. In the summer he can be found north of the border, indulging his passion for the Edinburgh Fringe.
Chris Tolley grew up on his family’s farm in Leicestershire and is currently tenant with his father. The heavy clay soils support a rotation including cereals, oilseed rape and grass for hay supplying the local equine market. Alongside the farming business, Chris works as an independent agronomist across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire supporting 20 clients. He advises on over 7,500 acres of combinable crops, grass, forage maize, sugar beet, fodder beet, potatoes and pumpkins. He was one of the first agronomists to achieve the BASIS Diploma in Agronomy and since 2008 he has been working with Simon Goodger delivering BASIS and FACTS courses. Married with two daughters, when not working Chris enjoys spending time with his family and is an active member of Leicestershire Orienteering Club.
Ben Hipperson is the fourth generation to manage his family’s farm in West Norfolk. The farm’s soils are predominantly sandy clay loam, but range from heavy clays to blow‑away sands, allowing a diverse rotation that includes cereals, oilseed rape, linseed, peas and sugar beet. The business also runs a successful hay enterprise supplying the local equine market. Away from farming Ben enjoys time with his young family and participates in paddle boarding and skiing as often as he can. Ben is BASIS & FACTS qualified and acquired his Diploma in Agronomy in 2025. Ben has been delivering lectures for us since 2022 working mainly across the BASIS Foundation Award & BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection -Arable courses
Charles Anyan farms near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire on predominantly sandy clay loam soils, with a rotation that includes cereals, oilseed rape, beans and maize. Away from the farm, Charles is an ambassador for The Farming Community Network, using marathon running to raise funds and help break the stigma surrounding mental health. He is also a committed supporter of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, having chaired the Lincolnshire Farming Conference and stewarding at the Lincolnshire Show every year. Charles is BASIS and FACTS qualified and has been delivering lectures for Agronomy Training Ltd since 2023, working mainly across the BASIS Foundation Award and BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection – Arable courses with his key focus being legislation
Toby Simpson is an arable farmer in Cambridgeshire, growing cereals, beans and oilseed rape on predominantly clay loam soils. He is also a Nuffield Farming Scholar for which his topic was exploring catch and cover cropping opportunities in UK arable agriculture. This allowed Toby the opportunity to spend eight weeks travelling around North America, Europe and Scandinavia. Off the farm he enjoys running very slowly over long distances. BASIS & FACTS qualified, Toby delivers lectures for us on the FACTS course.
On our advanced level and specialist courses we are assisted by the following:
Field Veg Course
Andy Richardson Allium & Brassica Agronomy
An experienced field agronomist, Andy has been contributing to our field veg course for over 25 years. He also delivers a lecture on pesticide authorisation and food safety to our PPA course.
Zander Foote Allium & Brassica Agronomy
Working as a vegetable agronomist in eastern England, Zander helps with the delivery of a sessions on allium and brassica crops. He also contributes to our Foundation Award in Field Veg.
Ian Holmes Strawson
Working as Farm Technical Director for Strawson, Ian brings a mixture of practical and technical expertise to his lecture on carrot and parsnip production.
Liz Johnson LJ Technical Consultancy Ltd
Working with a number of leading UK growers, Liz has a wealth of experience in salad crop production. Her lectures focus on the agronomy of lettuce, celery and baby leaf salads.
Advanced Potatoes
Andy Barker Barworth Research Ltd
With a background in applied research, Andy has considerable experience in the impact of plant parasitic nematodes. His lectures focus on soil pests of the potato crop.
Ed Maule Agrii
Having worked for many years as a potato technologist, Ed has a wealth of experience in managing potatoes, both in-field and in the store. His contribution to the course covers weed control, desiccation and crop storage.
Gracie Tucker Produce Solutions
Working as a potato specialist in northern England, Gracie bring valuable practical insight to her lectures on late blight, alternaria and virus diseases.
David Booty Omex Agriculture Ltd
An experienced crop nutritionist, David provides fertiliser advice on a range of root and vegetable crops. He brings a wealth of knowledge to his lecture on potato nutrition.
Plant Protection Award (PPA)
Rob Suckling De Sangosse Ltd
Commercial Technical Manager, Rob provides technical expertise on adjuvants and crop nutrition. He brings a great understanding of the role of adjuvants in agriculture to his lecture on the subject.