How do we accelerate the adoption of regenerative farming practices?

Our expert panel explores the role of peer-to-peer learning, co-design and consumer engagement in driving change at scale.

Featuring Fiona Rust (LEAF), Dr Johnny Wake (Courteenhall Estate & LEAF Trustee), Dr Tom Pearson (West Cambridgeshire farmer) and Dr Alice Mauchline (University of Reading).

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Farmers, growers and partners involved in the M&S Plan A: Farming for the Future programme share their experiences of change, the lessons they've learned and the early benefits they're seeing.

Alongside expert perspectives from Lucinda Langton and Peter Kennedy (M&S), David Webster (LEAF), Ian Robertson (SSM) and Clive Thomas (SAX), the discussion explores how collaboration, advice and peer learning are helping drive progress across the farming community.

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How can collaboration between farmers and researchers drive real change on the ground? In this LEAF Digs Deeper session, we explore how co-designed research is helping to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical farming decisions.

We’re joined by:
- Nick Down – Farm Manager at Yattendon Estate and Head of Sustainability at Velcourt Ltd.
- Dr Alice Mauchline – Associate Professor of Agricultural Ecology and Education at the University of Reading.

Together, they discuss the power of farmer-led innovation and why involving farmers from the very beginning is key to creating research that is relevant, practical, and impactful.

In this session, we cover:
- Why farmers are best placed to identify real-world challenges and shape research priorities.
- The importance of co-designed research for practical, on-farm application.
- How collaboration between farmers, researchers, and stakeholders leads to shared learning and fresh perspectives.
- The balance between scientific rigor and real-world farm constraints.

We also introduce a new ADOPT-funded project involving LEAF, Demonstration Farmers, and an Innovation Centre. This initiative explores how cover crop data can be used to optimise nutrient management and reduce reliance on synthetic nitrogen - while maintaining crop performance.
If you're interested in sustainable farming, applied research, and innovative approaches to agriculture, this session is not to be missed.

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