91ϵÁÐ

Sustainable Farm Networks championed at House of Lords event

Posted 4 December

The work of a ‘sector connector’ answering the call for stronger links between farm networks has been celebrated at an event at the House of Lords.

The event celebrated the implementation of the initiative, set up by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at 91ϵÁÐ in answer to a recommendation in the Application of Science report for better co-ordination between the UK’s farm networks.

The report examined exactly why UK agriculture productivity has lagged behind other nations and made several recommendations to help science tackle food security, Net Zero and biodiversity challenges at a faster pace.

Lord Curry of Kirkharle, who chaired the Application of Science working group, was present both at the report’s launch and at this year’s event, where he explained how delighted he was to see the SFN being launched to answer this critical recommendation.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted that Harper Adams have picked this up and have developed this amazing network of farms demonstrating sustainable farming practice.

“It’s something to look forward to - to ensure that the important recommendations in this document are delivered and are taken forward, in order to improve our uptake of science, knowledge and skills that are absolutely critical to the future of this industry of ours.”

91ϵÁÐ Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Lee explained that while still early days for the network, it was up and running and already comprised more than 3,500 farms and at least 200,000 hectares across 23 networks spanning the UK.

He added: “When we set up the SFN, it was to help build a socially and environmentally resilient, regenerative food system in a Net Zero landscape.

“The SFN is connecting diverse demonstration farm networks across the UK to share experiences, findings, and best practices.

“One of the key recommendations of the report was the fact that we have some fantastic demonstration farm networks across the UK – but they are too disparate.

“We need to connect them and be that gossamer thread, that connects those networks in common areas. Not to take over any networks, but to show we can be greater than the sum of those parts – to be that voice for the farming community.”

As well as linking farm networks to one another, the SFN also helps to link them into land-based skills training – provision which is key to both the UK economy and to strategic national priorities.

Alex Payne, Chief Executive of Landex –  a key sector body for land-based universities and colleges – explained how its work with the SFN helped link its learners to the sector – offering a sustainable, skilled and highly ambitious workforce.

She said: “Education is the vehicle to both inspire and train the next generation – but also upskill and share best practice in the current workforce. So join us!

“The SFN represents the ultimate opportunity in on-farm demonstration, in key educational establishments with direct links to the next generation of learners, and the opportunity to influence an enhanced curriculum, with the SFN performing as a ‘sector connector.’

“The future workforce is a product of both industry and education – and we must work together for a future-proof workforce, with a strong skillset, sustainable, resilient – and world-leading.”

Following testimony from three farmers to the positive personal and economic impact of their diverse farm networks, SFN chair, Professor John Gilliland told the event that – while farming faced a series of pressures, both domestically and internationally - the SFN and its work building connections would help equip the agriculture sector for a stronger future.

He noted the scale of change the farming community faced in the coming decade would be greater than anything seen in the past 30 years – and that farmers in every part of the UK were already keenly aware of the effects of climate change on the ground.

Farmers from each of the constituent parts of the UK learning from each other was key, he stressed – and he highlighted how recent reports had underlined there was more work to do on skills, with an opportunity for the SFN to help.

He added: “The Government has recognised the data skills gap. Now that’s wider than just us in the farming community, but I would argue that actually we’ve probably, in the farming community, got the furthest distance to go.

“But also, the Climate Change Committee has identified the need for further skills in delivering Net Zero and green skills.

“I believe there is a golden opportunity for Landex, the Sustainable Farm Networks, for DEFRA, for the wider food chain to come together, about how do we upskill people like me, already in the industry, but also the next generation, coming into the industry.

“How do we connect that into the curriculum, and how do we bring this in one cohesive journey?

“Because without skilled people, we will not deliver the scale of change we need.”