Эпизоды
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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.Support the show
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Our latest LEAF Digs Deeper session takes a closer look at the vital role agriplastics play in modern farming and the growing need to improve how they are recovered and recycled.
From silage wrap to crop covers, agriplastics are essential tools for productivity and efficiency. However, as their use continues, so do the challenges around responsible disposal and recycling.
In this session, we explore:
- How better on-farm sorting, storage, and handling can significantly boost recycling outcomes
- Why used agriplastics should be treated as a valuable, recoverable resource not just waste
- The practical and financial barriers farmers currently face when managing plastic waste
- The need for stronger collaboration across industry, government, and supply chains to scale effective recycling systems
A key theme throughout is the importance of practical, joined-up solutions—approaches that fit the realities of farm businesses while moving agriculture towards a more circular and sustainable future.Support the show
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Пропущенные эпизоды?
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Climate-Smart Dairy: LEAF Digs Deeper – Key Insights
In this LEAF Digs Deeper session, we explore how climate-smart dairy practices are being applied on the ground to improve efficiency, resilience, and environmental performance. Featuring insights from Zoe Barker (University of Reading) on the SmartDairy Project and Sven Koops (CEDAR), the discussion highlights how better use of data, precision technologies, and herd management can reduce emissions, improve animal health and longevity, and boost farm efficiency—often without major infrastructure investment. The session also explores the role of policy stability, shared risk, and clear communication with consumers. Climate-smart dairy is about practical, data-driven decisions that deliver lasting benefits for farms, supply chains, and the environment.Support the show
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In this LEAF Surgery session, we explore how environmental baselining can evolve from simple data collection into a powerful tool for decision‑making, farm resilience, and value creation across the supply chain.
We were joined by two expert speakers:
Sarah Haynes, Head of Sustainability at the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) – sharing insights from IGD’s work on the value of baselining England’s farmland and why coordinated, large‑scale approaches matter.
Carolien Samson, Head of Sustainable Farming at Oxbury Bank – discussing how baselining underpins investment decisions, risk management, and the transition to more resilient farming systems.Key Takeaways
Different stakeholders need different levels of data – from individual farms to national and global supply chains – causing fragmentation. Baselining offers both environmental and economic benefits, but greater alignment is needed to reduce duplication and reporting burdens. “Good enough and scalable” metrics are often more useful than “perfect” data. Strong governance and transparency build trust and unlock value for everyone. Farmers must stay at the centre, ensuring data genuinely supports on‑farm decisions and delivers real benefits.Support the show
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Our latest podcast takes a deeper dive into the roots of supporting tree health on-farm. Join Andrew Keyte , Farm Manager at LEAF Demonstration Farm, Ragley Home Farms, Dr Jake Morris who specialises in Plant Health Evidence & Analysis at Defra and LEAF Technical Officer, Eleanor Marks, as they talk tactics, technologies and teamwork for smarter, more integrated approaches to tree health management.
Download A Farmer's Guide to Ash Dieback here.Support the show
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In this episode, Elle Vercoe-Gibson, LEAF Marque Certification Manager, discusses the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review, how it works, what it delivers for farmers, it’s role within an Integrated Farm Management approach to more sustainable farming and finally, how it fits in with LEAF Marque certification.
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In this episode, we discussed SEAMS (Sustainability in Education and Agriculture using Mixtures), a four-year project funded by the Esme Fairbairn Foundation and coordinated by the James Hutton Institute, as the project draws to a close. The project focused on crop mixtures and aimed to develop, promote and implement crop species mixtures as a sustainable crop production system for Scotland and as a resource for knowledge exchange on food production, agricultural ecology and environmental sustainability. We were joined by the project lead of SEAMS, Rob Brooker from the James Hutton Institute and Thomas Veitch from Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, who was involved in running trials as part of the project. In this discussion, Rob and Thomas reflected on the project's outcomes and legacy and looked at the next steps for crop mixtures within sustainable crop production systems.
The data platform mentioned in the podcast is already available here, but will be officially launched at this year’s Arable Scotland in July
For more information on the SEAMS project please visit:
https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/projects/seams-sustainability-education-and-agriculture-using-mixturesSupport the show
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Join Elle Vercoe-Gibson, LEAF's Certification Manager talking through the LEAF Marque Standard v16.0. Focussing on the latest changes to the Standard, what these changes mean for LEAF Marque growers and touching on a general overview of LEAF Marque as a whole.
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This week we’re in Cornwall with our Ambassador for the South West, Rona Amiss, talking with chicken and arable farmer Jenny Olds about how they found hosting their LOFS event for the first time last year, county show clashes and wet weather plans!
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Lucy Redmore, LEAF Assurance Manager explains how LEAF Marque works with Certification Bodies and the role they play in LEAF's monitoring and evaluation programme. She also talks us through the application process for Certification Bodies to work with LEAF.
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In this episode LOFS ambassador in Scotland, Rebecca Dawes and Caroline chat about the benefits of hosting a LEAF Open Farm Sunday event for a diversified farm business!
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LEAF’s 10 year strategic direction (2021−2031) builds on our core capabilities and strengths and delivers against 8 commitments. In this series of podcasts, LEAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond explores each of the commitments and examines how each feed into LEAF’s wider ambitions. Today we learn about ‘Growing Education and Engaging Society’.
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LOFS Ambassador for the East of England, Jon Myhill speaks to Jane Louden from Crown Point Estate about hosting their first LOFS event in 2021, the practicalities of running a larger event in conjunction with another organisation, and how help is key!
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Lucy and Ally discuss how his events have been his favourite days on farm, how local marketing really worked for his events, and some fun activity ideas they have used after the initial worry of having nothing of interest to show the public due to having no livestock on farm!
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In this episode we join LOFS Ambassador for the North East, Anne Mair Chapman who chats to Cameron Harrison about his fascinating story of elephant garlic and his first time taking part in LEAF Open Farm Sunday last year, and how his event differed from Anne's event, who also took part for the first time! A chance to hear how every farm has something fascinating to show visitors.
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Lewis Davies, Group Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Wynnstay and Clare Mike, LEAF’s Director, Business Development discuss partnerships, people, projects and the LEAF membership offer.
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Join our series of LEAF Open Farm Sunday podcasts, where we meet LOFS host farmers from across the UK who will be sharing their experiences, magic moments and top tips to running an event.
This week, we meet LOFS host farmer Tanya Robbins from Didcot Farm, chatting about fond memories and some useful tricks, such as ticketing and the LOFS website that have been picked up along the way.
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The first in our series of LEAF Open Farm Sunday podcasts, where we meet LOFS host farmers from across the UK who will be sharing their experiences, magic moments and top tips to running an event.
This week LOFS manager, Annabel Shackleton discusses the joys of growing up with LOFS on farm, with long term host farmer Rebecca Dawes from Hilton of Aldie, Kinross, Scotland.
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Lucy Redmore, LEAF's Assurance Manager discusses how the LEAF Marque Standard is kept robust, relevant and rigorous. Lucy outlines the current LEAF Marque Standard v16.0 draft public consultation – how it works, what it does, the different ways of getting involved and, crucially, the proposed changes.
Complete survey here.
Register for webinars here.Support the show
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Building community engagement is one of the key elements of more integrated, sustainable farming. We welcome two of LEAF's corporate members Samantha Balasuriya from Botanicoir and Mark Davies from Agrovista and hear about Botanicoir's work with communities in rural Sri Lanka and India to improve conditions and provide opportunities for local residents. We also explore with one of their UK partners, Agrovista, how Botanicoir's ethos feeds into their own business approach.
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