LEAF
LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is a charity that promotes and supports more sustainable farming to create a resilient food and farming system for future generations.
"Our vision is a global farming and food system that delivers Climate Positive action, builds resilience and supports the health, diversity and enrichment of our food, farms, the environment and society."
The Waitrose & Partners’ Leckford Estate has been a LEAF member since 2001, and an inspiring LEAF Marque Certified Demonstration Farm since 2004. Waitrose was the first UK retailer to require LEAF Marque certification across its global fresh produce supply base.
LEAF’s enduring partnership with Waitrose and the Leckford Estate continues to thrive and evolve through their integral role in Farming for Nature. As highly respected agricultural professionals, LEAF plays a pivotal role in the programme by providing expert support to farmers, coordinating regenerative farming initiatives, and supporting Waitrose’s farmer suppliers to achieve LEAF Marque certification across all its UK-based farms by 2026, focused on a range of sectors including beef, dairy, poultry and lamb.
The University of Reading
Scientists from the University of Reading have joined forces with Waitrose and the Satellite Farmers within the Farming for Nature initiative to accelerate nature-friendly farming.
Professor Carol Wagstaff, Research Dean for Agriculture, Food and Health at the University of Reading said:
“Reading has more than a century of expertise in agricultural innovation, and we know that to secure our food and nature in the century ahead, we need to make long-term plans.
Farmers, researchers, retailers and shoppers all have a part to play. Farming for Nature provides the leadership to make Britain’s food system a force for good in fighting climate change and biodiversity loss, while remaining profitable.”
Land App
Land App offers farmers a collaborative, intuitive approach to mapping of land. The network consists of farmers, advisors, land agents, food retailers, water companies and ecologists all inputting into land mapping, as well as providing advice on plan management strategies and nature recovery projects.
The Leckford Estate Farming for Nature initiative has brought Land App on board as a partner to simplify regenerative farming for British Farmers.
"Together with Land App, we are running monthly webinars to provide you with a detailed overview of how the project can support you to demonstrate and plan resilient and nature-friendly farming. These sessions will include conversations with the farmers who have been supported through the project so far and will give you the opportunity to share any questions you have with the team. You can register for any upcoming webinars here Waitrose & Land App Farming for Nature project - Webinars and recordings page."
Soil Association Exchange
In 2021, the Soil Association developed a new service for farmers called Soil Association Exchange. Exchange helps all UK farmers to measure and improve their environmental performance and receive financial rewards for doing so. Their online platform uses cutting edge technology, combined with an on farm data collection service to holistically measure a farms environmental impact across a range of metrics from soil health to biodiversity. Their team of agricultural experts work in partnership with farmers to accelerate their transition to sustainable farming and to help their business prosper.
