Supporting Regenerative Farming Around The World

As a network, we are working to support sustainable agriculture in four different ways:

• Training and education in sustainable/regenerative farming.

• Tailored support for farmers & implementation of sustainable practices.

• Collaborative land stewardship.

• Research & innovation.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN SUSTAINABLE FARMING

 

Devon Environment Foundation – Regenerative School, Apricot Centre

Ongoing since 2021

Addressing the UK-wide gap in sustainable farming training by providing entry-level and advanced apprenticeship programmes to conventional or new-generation farmers interested in sustainable farming practices and attracted by the economic benefits they will reap from the regenerative market. These courses also aim to become a blueprint for replication anywhere else in the UK.

Over 60 trainees graduated since 2022, and most of them have pursued land-based careers. The true impact of this project will unfold over the next decade, as the first graduates apply the regenerative practices to change Devon’s intensive agriculture landscape.

Menorca Preservation – Menorca Preservada Training Programme

2021-2024

Providing the farming sector of Menorca with the knowledge and skills to farm more sustainably; fighting the disappearance of agricultural activity through a farm management training programme that focuses on giving value to local products and sustainable practices.

162 farmers have taken part in the training to date. Menorca Preservation’s involvement in the development of this project, allowed for the cross-pollination and collaboration with other initiatives supported, such as Plastic Free Menorca or the Land Stewardship programme; thus, enhancing the all-around impact of the foundation.

 

 

Ibiza Preservation – Ibiza Produce Workshops 

Ongoing since 2023

Ibiza Produce started as an initiative to bridge the gap between sustainable farmers and interested consumers but in 2023 expanded its scope towards training workshops in regenerative farming techniques and the fight against food waste. Their target audience has been local farmers, food professionals and hospitality students.

In 2024 Ibiza Produce received EU funding for an Erasmus+ project, to work with hospitality colleges in Ibiza and Tallinn (Estonia) training teachers and students on zero-waste food techniques and producing a blueprint of online learning resources for the rest of the EU.

Argosaronic Environment Foundation & Ionian Environment Foundation – Regenerative Farming Greece, The Southern Lights

2023

Supporting and enabling the transition to regenerative farming in Greece, through a training programme that also provided a platform for farmers to share knowledge and network.

Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust – Farm-Able Livelihoods, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Ongoing since 2022

Empowering members of the disabled community to contribute to Barbados’ food security through a training programme on regenerative agriculture techniques such as sustainable crop and poultry production, rabbit-rearing and aquaponics. The programme also provides agri-preneurship skills such as financial, marketing and digital literacy.

Many of the people trained in 2023 (60) have found employment with the private sector or enrolled in agricultural degree programmes.

Lamu Environment Foundation – Practical Permaculture Design Courses, EarthLove LTD.

2023 – 2024

Training local community members at risk of food insecurity (mostly women) on permaculture design, teaching them how to set up Permaculture Home Gardens and providing them with the necessary seeds. After graduating, trainees are invited to take an additional course to become Permaculture Community Trainers to share the knowledge and skills gained with other community members (a train the trainers scheme), incentivising peer-to-peer learning.

20 community members (including 17 women) were trained. Upon the conclusion of the programme, participants suggested the creation of a pilot, commercial communal farm where both trainers and participants can continue to exchange knowledge and expand their skillset in a real, functioning farm

TAILORED SUPPORT FOR FARMERS & IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES 

 

Lamu Environment Foundation – Community Empowerment through Practical Permaculture, Lamu Outreach Youth Initiative

Ongoing since 2024

Answering the needs of the participants from the permaculture design courses (see section above) by providing them with a suitable farm to implement their learnings and expand their skills (e.g., learning about animal husbandry and business farm management). The management of the farm relies heavily on the graduates from the permaculture course (mainly women), who receive a daily stipend. They are also in charge of training new participants and recruiting volunteers.

Cyprus Environment Foundation – TUI Field to Fork Cyprus

Ongoing since 2024

The goal of this project is to address the current gap in Cyprus’s production and distribution of organic and regenerative agriculture products. Beyond the training of farmers, the key purpose of this project is to create demand for sustainable produce within the hospitality sector while also incorporating people with disabilities in the program’s activities

Menorca Preservation – Pilot Farm S’Ullestrar

Ongoing since 2023

After attending the Menorca Preservada regenerative farming training, the young owners of the Finca S’Ullestrar asked MeP to help them move away from the intensive practices of a conventional dairy farm towards more sustainable (and financially viable) practices. This project comprises of analysis of the farm, its characteristics and its potential to transition. An economic feasibility study was carried out along with support, monitoring and oversight for the implementation of new sustainable practices. The idea is that this pilot farm serves as inspiration and guidance for others to follow the steps towards more sustainable agricultural practices.

Mallorca Preservation – Plastic Free Agriculture, APAEMA

Ongoing since 2022

The project has focused on gradually replacing plastic mulch (used to cover crops to increase water retention) with a 100% biodegradable film made from potato starch. The film dissolves in the soil in less than a year and does not compromise crop productivity; but it is marginally more expensive than its plastic counterpart. Mallorca Preservation has financed a portion of the cost, reducing the initial price for farmers by 43.4%.

19 organic farms have replaced over 500 kilometres of plastic mulch and pledged to never use it again.

With funding from Conservation Collective’s partnership with Depeche Mode and Hublot, MaP and APAEMA are assessing the widespread use of plastics in the agricultural sector, its impact, and the viability of other potential solutions.

Ibiza Preservation – Buy Local Directory 

Ongoing since 2018

Helping Ibizan residents, tourists and chefs buy local and organic produce, both online and at source. Ibiza Produce’s guide and online shop lists local food markets and farm shops selling fresh and organic fruit and vegetables, fishmongers selling fresh fish caught locally by fishers from Ibiza; and artisan food producers selling traditional Ibizan products such as bread, beer, coffee and meat.

The directory sells over 87 local products from 60 different producers across the island.

Listen to the Amar La Tierra, a podcast by Ibiza Produce.

Mallorca Preservation – Fruit Trees of Mallorca 

Ongoing since 2023

This project promotes the planting of local varieties of fruit trees such as carob, almond and sweet holm oaks to revitalise Mallorca’s mosaic landscape, which plays a significant role in adapting to climate change.

So far, 1,209 trees have been planted across 5 hectares.

COLLABORATIVE LAND STEWARDSHIPS

 

Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation – Farm Clusters

Ongoing since 2021

The creation of two farm clusters have brought together farmers and landowners to deliver nature restoration at a landscape scale, integrating and making more space for nature on farms. The two clusters have brought together a total of 27 farmers and landowners, covering approximately 30,000 acres of riparian habitats, lowland, hill, and upland farmland, arable land, mixed forestry and in-shore marine habitats.

Farmers have created larger field margins, rewilding areas and wetlands for wading birds, among other things.

Menorca Preservation – Custodia Agraria, Gob Menorca.  

Ongoing since 2023

Farmers joining The Farm Stewardship programme Custodia Agraria commit to implementing a series of good agricultural practices. In turn, they receive strong support from GOB Menorca. The main strategic lines of the programme are agricultural resilience, environmental improvement, economic viability, and growing impact and measurement.

Simultaneously, the project aims to involve society – both as consumers and as volunteers – and political agents, and to work on the replicability of the model in other regions.

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

 

Mallorca Preservation – Soil health warning stations, APAEMA

Ongoing since 2023

Using a network of sensors and state-of-the-art meteorological stations, a network of phytosanitary warning stations collect real-time data and information on weather conditions, soil moisture and other key factors that favour the development of pests and diseases. This data is analysed by an artificial intelligence system that generates personalised warnings and recommendations for farmers, including water needs and pest risk.

So far, 45 farmers receive the data; and over 60 warnings have been emitted regarding risks of pests for Olive groves, vines and almond trees.