The BBC have found that the number of larger-scale beef and dairy farms in Britain has increased from 756 to 802 in five years, now holding more than 915,000 cattle. These ‘megafarms' are a form of industrial farming whereby cattle may be kept indoors all year round and fed on grain and soy. Campaign group, Compassion in World Farming, said the rise of these farms was “deeply concerning” and has largely gone unnoticed by the public due to them being hidden from public view. At the SFT, we campaign for more sustainable and higher welfare practices to ensure livestock are part of the solution, not the problem, for climate, nature and health. These high welfare, pasture-based systems can: 🌱 Help to restore or maintain ecosystems 🪱 Build natural soil fertility 🦋 Provide habitats for biodiversity 🌳 Maintain cherished landscapes 🌽 Produce nutritious food from marginal land 🔍 Find out more about our work around sustainable livestock: https://lnkd.in/ggiCnnHj We’re gearing up for the release of our upcoming report, which will explore the role of grazing livestock in our food and farming system and the benefits they can provide for climate, nature and health. Coming soon… 👀 🔗 More from BBC News here: https://lnkd.in/eASzGtcw Pasture for Life #GrazingLivestock #IndustrialFarming #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture
About us
How do we move from the food systems we have to the food systems we need for the future? Be part of a Global Food Movement. Mission To investigate the opportunities and challenges of building adequate supplies of safe, nutritious food, produced in ways that cause the least harm to the environment. Description SFT is dedicated to harnessing the collective power of organisations, people, and communities to build more sustainable food systems that support human and environmental health. What does a sustainable food system look like? It is one where the food is safe to eat and keeps us healthy. Everyone can access this food, regardless of economic status. It is one where soil fertility is maintained and environmental pollution is minimal so that we can grow on our land for generations to come. In a sustainable food system, plant and animal diversity and welfare are protected. Won’t you join us? SFT programmes of work: 1. Leadership and collaboration Develop a global network of individuals and organisations in positions of leadership. Build consensus around strategies to enable the transition to more sustainable food systems across sectors. 2. Communications and citizen engagement Build a new framework for joined-up and effective communication. Tell the inspiring stories of best practise from the sustainable food movement. Build a hub of accessible information that allows individual citizens to inform and educate themselves. Generate an active and engaging dialogue on the issues faced and potential solutions. 3. Research and policy Gather and disseminate the results of high-quality, unbiased, peer-reviewed science. Commission and communicate independent research that investigates the impact of existing farming practises, and the outcomes of sustainable alternatives. Use research and principles of ‘good science’ to enable a positive policy environment that supports sustainable production .
- Website
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http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/
External link for Sustainable Food Trust
- Industry
- Farming
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Bristol
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2012
- Specialties
- Communications, Food Policy, Food Systems engagement, True Cost Accounting, and Research
Locations
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Primary
38 Richmond St
Totterdown
Bristol, BS3 4TQ, GB
Employees at Sustainable Food Trust
Updates
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SFT CEO, Patrick Holden, is at the Regenerative Agriculture Summit in Amsterdam today to discuss ways of financing the agricultural transition, joined by Alex Godfrey of Octopus Investments, Katrina Hayter of HSBC, Nicoline van Gerrevink of Rabobank, Ben Makowiecki of Lloyds Banking Group and Joao Roseiro of SLM Partners. Patrick spoke about the need for a third income stream for farmers to make changes to their practices: 🗣️“[If farmers were paid] for their positive externalities, that would shift the balance of financial advantage towards regenerative farming.” Patrick previously wrote about this topic for the SFT Newsletter, explaining how a mainstream transition to truly sustainable farming systems will need to ensure that it pays. You can read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e34SxWQj Regenerative Agriculture Summit Series #RAS #RAS2024 #RegenerativeAgriculture
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Sustainable Food Trust reposted this
Welcome to our #FrameworkTrials series where we will show you the work that we are doing on the ground to refine our Outcomes-Based Framework. 🧑🌾 Farm and landscape trials are taking place across the world to help us ensure that we’re building a Framework that can be used by all farmers who want to achieve regenerative outcomes. First, we take you to Malaysia. With huge thanks to the Earthworm Foundation, we engaged with a range of farmers producing oil palm, as well as other products including goats, fruits and chilis. 🐐 Diversifying income streams was a key focus for the farms in the trial. For one of the farmers, this was only made possible through technology. By using automated irrigation, the farmer was able to produce chilis without additional labour demands or costs, allowing them to focus on other ventures and spend more time with their family. Swipe below to see pictures from this trial ⬇️ #Regen10 #Farmers #Regenerative Global Farm Metric Systemiq Ltd. Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) Earthworm Foundation IUCN, Leaders' Quest, Meridian Institute, WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development, World Farmers' Organisation, Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Sustainable Food Trust, 1000 Landscapes For 1 Billion People, The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation, McKnight Foundation
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🗣️ “If you can get a school child, as I was when I grew up in London, to visit a dairy farm, you have a lifelong influence on them. 🎙️ Our CEO, Patrick Holden, recently sat down with Ben Eagle for the #MeetTheFarmers Podcast, where they spoke about the complex relationship between organic and regenerative and the importance of collaboration between the two movements, as well as the need for a common framework like the Global Farm Metric to measure the sustainability impacts of our different farming systems. In this clip, Patrick talks about the SFT’s #BeaconFarms pilot project, which aims to develop a network of farms where people can find out more about agriculture, and learn the story behind their food. 🎧 To listen to the full episode, visit https://lnkd.in/eEvyhYwT or search ‘Meet the Farmers’ on your favourite podcast player. #Podcast #FarmingPodcast #MeetTheFarmers #BeaconFarms #RegenerativeAgriculture #OrganicFarming RuralPod Media
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Sustainable Food Trust reposted this
✍️ Our Research Officer Sara Hall looks at the value of holistic methods when assessing sustainability on farms, and the challenges and common language that is needed to create a truly holistic approach including a look at Sustainable Food Trust's sustainability assessment the Global Farm Metric. Sara is part of our research team, she is also a farmer and PhD Researcher in Sustainable Livestock at University of Bristol. 📌 https://lnkd.in/e2ade6jY 📸 PfL certified Tamarisk Farm, Dorset #PastureResearch #Pasture #RegenerativeFarming #Sustainability
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With a new month, comes a new SFT Newsletter – what’s in our September edition? ✉️ 🧑🌾 Tesco recently made headlines when they announced that they would be cutting a number of farmers from their Sustainable Dairy Group, a decision SFT CEO and organic dairy farmer, Patrick Holden, called ‘misguided’. Read his full response in our newsletter and on our website. 🧀 We spoke to Bronwen Percival, Buyer and Technical Director at Neal's Yard Dairy an artisanal cheese retailer showcasing the UK’s community of talented cheesemakers and striving for sustainability at every stage of the supply chain. 🌍 The Global Farm Metric’s Projects Officer, Olivia Boothman, provides an update on the recent farm trials that have been taking place around the world, from Malaysia to America. 🎙️ Patrick Holden recently spoke to Ben Eagle for the #MeetTheFarmers Podcast, discussing the power of farms to act as educational stages for people to learn about the story behind their food, the history of the organic movement and the complex relationship between organic and regenerative. September’s edition of the SFT Newsletter will be out on Wednesday. Head to our website to subscribe: https://lnkd.in/egMCkbbQ #SFTNewsletter #RegenerativeAgriculture #Tesco #ArtisanCheese #NealsYardDairy #FarmSustainability #FarmingPodcast #Organic #Regenerative RuralPod Media
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📍 SFT Policy Director, Lesley Mitchell, will chair the Regenerative Agriculture Summit in Amsterdam this week. Across three days, the summit will bring together industry leaders, NGOs, farmers and academics to explore the challenges and opportunities in the transition to regenerative agriculture. 💬 Speaking about last year’s summit, Lesley said, “[This event] creates a space for challenge and difficult conversations… This isn’t about tinkering around the edges, this is about really building a transformative change towards a future for food that is based on working with nature.” ➡️ You can use our code SPEAK10 to get 10% off tickets: https://lnkd.in/ecsdzMJk #RAS #RAS24 #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableFarming Regenerative Agriculture Summit Series
❓ Why join us at this year's Regenerative Agriculture Summit Europe (3-5 September | Amsterdam)? 🙍🏽♂️ Build cross-sector collaborations with 550+ industry leaders from across the food and textiles industries 👩🏽🌾 Gain insight from pioneering farmers by tackling challenges like unfair margin distribution and regenerative farming roadblocks ⛓ Achieve supply chain visibility and transparency by supporting accurate sustainability claims and utilising available technological solutions 🌿 Integrate biodiversity and nature into your climate strategies by diving into real-world case studies 🌊 Mitigate water risks by identifying innovative approaches to water usage, wastage, and scarcity 📝Maximise your learnings with our interactive pre-event day workshops (Tuesday, 3 September) Save up to €400 when you book by this Friday, 12 July: https://lnkd.in/eUhyrwpy 🛑 Don't just take our word for it! Here's what Lesley Mitchell, Director of Policy at Sustainable Food Trust had to say about it...
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🎥 The second episode in the #BigFoodRedesign Challenge vlog series takes us to Mexico where #AgüitaDivina are producing a tequila alternative made from the sap of agave, rather than the whole plant – which is normally used to make tequila – to reduce the amount of waste. 🥘 Back in the UK, we also meet #Porcus, who are extending the shelf life of meat by creating pork-based meals in jars, produced from free-range, high-welfare pigs. Meanwhile, The Wild Hare Group are using mob-grazed cattle, known for their soil health benefits, to create a beef bourguignon product. 🥣 We also check in with #SpoonCereals from episode one, who are rethinking their use of ancient black oats from Norway for their porridge product in order to reduce food miles and shipping costs, considering a regenerative oat miller in the UK instead. Watch the latest behind-the-scenes video here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e_fvu_ry #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableFarming #CircularEconomy Ellen MacArthur Foundation People's Postcode Lottery
Watch some of the participants of the Big Food Redesign Challenge explore old ideas with modern thinking in the second episode of ‘Redesigning Food: Behind the scenes’. 👩🌾 From a tequila alternative that puts nature first to traditional farming systems that lead to better soil health, The Wild Hare Group, Porcus and Agüita Divina are all transforming how we do business – shifting old linear models into more circular ones. This series navigates the complexities of designing food for nature to thrive, pushing the boundaries of food design, and turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and innovation. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/ernGzdgJ
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📅 Next week, Patrick will attend the Regenerative Agriculture Summit in Amsterdam, joining NGOs, farmers, academics, retailers and beyond to explore the challenges and opportunities in the transition to regenerative agriculture. Patrick will be joined by Octopus Investments, HSBC, Rabobank, Lloyds Banking Group and SLM Partners, for a session around financing the regenerative agricultural transition, on Thursday 5th September. The panel will explore questions like, what type of financial support is most beneficial for farmers? What role do public subsidies play and how can public and private capital work together? And, what role can banks play in the transition? Use our discount code SPEAK10 for 10% off tickets. ➡️ For more information and how to register for tickets, visit: https://lnkd.in/ecsdzMJk #RAS #RAS2024 Regenerative Agriculture Summit Series
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🍝 In 2023, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with the Sustainable Food Trust, launched the #BigFoodRedesign Challenge where, currently, over 60 organisations are bringing more than 150 products to life. This is an exciting project that brings together ambitious producers, retailers, start-ups and suppliers to produce food that will actively help nature to thrive – and do it in a way that can be scaled. 🔗 With the Production Phase well underway and products due to hit shelves as part of the Showcase Phase in 2025, the Foundation’s Food Team recently provided us with an update on the challenge – scroll through to find out more. ➡️ To read the full update, click here: https://lnkd.in/dnsbwiqC To find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the work that they do, visit: https://lnkd.in/efp2UMQ 📷 Chris Cooper (www.shotaway.com). #EllenMacArthurFoundation #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableFood Global Farm Metric People's Postcode Lottery