The current food production that supplies UK diets is unsustainable. Regenerative farming practices seek to address the historical global decline in soil stocks and fertility, C and N sequestration to regulate climate, terrestrial biodiversity, water quality and offer increased agricultural productivity with social benefits.
FixOurFood will explore what exemplars of regenerative farming currently exist in Yorkshire and beyond, and what we can learn from them. They will also investigate what are the limiting environmental, social and economic factors for regenerative farming and what changes in practice would allow different farming systems in Yorkshire to be regenerative and financially viable. Working with key networks and alliances, our team will look at what practical steps are needed to stimulate shifts towards regenerative farming, what the potential for regenerative farming in the region is and if it could make a contribution to combat global warming if scaled up nationally.
TransformTransformational change is more than adjusting or improving existing systems. It includes fundamental pattern shifts of activities, approaches and beliefs, creating new interactions between values, nature, technology and behaviours.
RegenerateA regenerative food system is one that spirals up environmental, social and economic benefits using approaches that aim to reduce harm and build beyond sustainable levels. Regenerative approaches aim to provide food and nourishment for all, improving public health and prosperity while replenishing and restoring the planet.
3 HorizonsThree Horizons is a simple and intuitive tool that helps support dialogue, planning and action to achieve transformed futures. It helps us to explore which parts of our food system are no longer fit for purpose, identify visionary and more viable futures, and recognise the ways emerging trends, ideas and actions can make those futures a reality.
Over the duration of the programme, a variety of activities will take place, including: farmer-led discussions on regenerative farming practices, benefits and challenges; farmer surveys; practice-based interventions that will be trialled at the Leeds University Farm and in partner commercial farms; demonstrations of regenerative farming practices to increase awareness of regenerative farming methods and training events for farmers.
In addition, integrative activities with other areas of the programme will take place to increase the visibility of regenerative farming and its impacts to consumers such as half-day study tours for farmers, schools, our School Leaders of Change group and anchor institutions. Furthermore, the farming team will link with the schools and hybrid economies teams by using regenerative farming to provide produce for new hybrid food models and specific schools collaborating with us.
In the UK, poor diet results in 1 in 7 deaths every year
source: GBD, 2017Important outcomes in this area will include an increase in regenerative farming initiatives and production in Yorkshire and a roadmap and evidence-base developed with key networks, and alliances to de-risk, boost and scale-up regenerative farming practices.
In the UK, poor diet results in 1 in 7 deaths every year
source: GBD, 20173 HorizonsThree Horizons is a simple and intuitive tool that helps support dialogue, planning and action to achieve transformed futures. It helps us to explore which parts of our food system are no longer fit for purpose, identify visionary and more viable futures, and recognise the ways emerging trends, ideas and actions can make those futures a reality.