(c) Shelley Abbott
Today's blog is written by Ro Osborne, RSPB Policy Assistant for farming, climate and land use, on our experience at the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture show and how nature-friendly farmers are leading the way to a Nature Positive future. This blog is the first of three in this series where we will discuss nature-friendly farming, how nature supports food security, and what all of this means for our transition to a Nature Positive food and farming system.
While many farmers and policy makers are leading the transition to Nature Positive food systems, we still have a long way to go to make sure that policy supports farmers taking up nature-friendly practices. The RSPB championed the role of nature in our farming systems at this year's Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture show.
In June, a team of RSPB staff headed to Lannock Manor Farm in Hertfordshire to attend the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Show. This year marked the sixth annual Groundswell, a farmer-led yearly agricultural show that stands out in its emphasis on the theory and application of regenerative practices in profitable farm businesses. Amongst a diverse crowd of farmers, policy makers, agricultural businesses and NGOs, the RSPB hosted a stand to champion the role of nature in our food and farming systems.
Throughout the week, we met with farmers and policy makers leading the transition to a nature positive farming system and talked with several farmers just starting their journey who are looking for ways to support nature on their land. We were inspired by the work that many farmers are doing to support nature but were reminded of all that still needs to be done make sure that agricultural policy supports nature-friendly practices and embeds the role of nature in achieving our climate and food security goals.
RSPB stand at Groundswell show
What did we do at Groundswell?
During the event, we set up camp in the RSPB stand just across the way from the big top tent. Those in attendance may have come across one of our staff members from our Fair to Nature, agricultural advice or policy and advocacy teams. When not sheltering from the sun with an ice cream, we were busy chatting with attendees about the different ways RSPB has been working to support nature in our food and farming systems:
Off the stand, we attended some of the many impactful seminars and workshops throughout the week – with our CEO Beccy Speight chairing a panel discussion on Nature Positive farming by 2030. Her final challenge to the audience was to ask how we can step up the pace of change towards this goal.
Our key takeaways from the week
It was great to see the emphasis on farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange, with many organisations like Nature Friendly Farming Network, Agricology and Innovative Farmers representing farmer-led agricultural development present. Several sessions were centred around farmer panels, with discussions taking place on topics like how they manage their farms for a more carbon and nature-friendly future.
In addition to hearing from farmers, we heard from many of the civil servants involved in shaping our new agricultural policies post-Brexit, with much discussion on the need for ELMs to support farmers in transitioning to more nature and climate friendly practices.
In the weeks just before Groundswell, the UK Government published its food strategy in response to the National Food Strategy independent review carried out by Henry Dimbleby. The RSPB, along with many of our partners in the food sector, were disappointed by the lack of ambition in the strategy, finding it unlikely to drive the needed transformative change across the food and farming sectors (read our blog post on this topic). During his widely attended talk at Groundswell, we were supportive of Henry Dimbleby’s focus on the role of nature in supporting long-term food security, and his condemnation of the government subsidising nature-damaging activities. Like Dimbleby, the RSPB would like to see a stronger commitment from across government to drive change towards nature-friendly land management.
Where we go from here
As we wrapped up the week at Groundswell, we reflected on the enthusiasm of many of the farmers we met to take action for nature – but the need for greater policy support to make this financially viable for farm businesses.
Agricultural policies greatly influence the day-to-day decisions made by farmers. At the RSPB, we campaign for policies which provide a fair deal for farmers, people, and wildlife. We want to see sustainable farming which provides safe, healthy, affordable food, protects, and enhances the environment and its wildlife, supports diverse and attractive landscapes, and contributes to a thriving rural economy.
Want to learn more about how nature supports food security or what we can do to make the transition to a Nature Positive food and farming system?
Keep an eye out for our next two blogs in the Nature Positive farming series later this August and September!
Further reading:
Fair to Nature - Fair to Nature – The gold standard for nature-positive products, backed by the RSPB.
Farm Wildlife - Home - Farm Wildlife
NFFN - Nature Friendly Farming Network - Sustainable Farming (nffn.org.uk)