Embedding agroecology within Land-based environmental projects
- This action area is focused on ensuring that land-based projects need to be underpinned by best practice in agroecology in order to be effective and transformative.
However, the current situation sees farmers navigating a very complex system sometimes without trustworthy and knowledgeable ambassadors to guide them. At the moment, it can be very hard for farmers to find out what the different options are, how to finance these and what approaches would work best in the unique environment of their farm. It was recognised that NFF could have a real role as trusted intermediaries in collating reliable evidence and reaching out to the wider farming community to help them understand more about agroecology and the benefits to this approach.
To address these challenges, our strategy outlines the following steps to raise awareness of Agroecology at a landscape perspective:
Our goal: land based projects embody good practice in agroecology.
Desired outcomes:
Evidence base, farm advice, and peer to peer learning is accessible to all farmers.
- Agroecological methods and permaculture design training is widely available in agricultural colleges and beyond
Example activities that were identified as supporting these immediate outcomes – and which should therefore be prioritised for funding – are as follows:
- Supporting the setup of more training opportunities by, for example, coordinating the offerings of members of the consortium.
- Sharing examples and good practice to establish an evidence base.
- Campaigning to change the curriculum for major agricultural colleges (to include more agroecology, permaculture, etc.)
Some examples of what is currently being delivered by NFF network members:
“Heart of the Dales” and “East of Eden” Landscape Recovery projects
Collaboration with the Rivers Trusts, e.g. Lune Rivers Trust, on natural flood management
Collaboration with regional National Parks and National Landscapes (particularly via Farming in Protected Landscapes)
Political lobbying and engagement around the importance of funding for Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery schemes
Agroecology at Scale programme led by the Soil Association
Priority next steps identified by the NFF network in May 2025:
Raise profile and build on activities that are already working well, e.g. mentoring projects or resources from past/current projects, or that need interim support due to funding fluctuations, and ensure a broad and diverse audience is reached
Support financial and business mentoring around this subject to enable transition into financially viable agroecological alternatives