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Peter & Henrietta Greig
FOUNDERS PIPERS FARM (UK)
Henrietta and Peter Greig, the acclaimed farmers and land stewards behind Pipers Farm, are dedicated to prioritising top-quality meat production while championing eco-conscious farming methods that sequester carbon and enhance biodiversity. As recognised Slow Food heroes, over their 30-year journey, Pipers Farm has steadfastly upheld local food heritage, advocating for animal welfare, exceptional taste, and the prosperity of rural communities. Pipers Farm collaborates with 40 small family farms in Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and Cornwall, advocating for sustainable, mixed farming practices. Their animals graze alongside diverse crops, fostering a harmonious ecosystem. They stand as a remarkable fusion of tradition, heritage, and forward-thinking entrepreneurship.
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Prof. John Crawford
GLOBAL SOIL HEALTH PROGRAMME, PROFESSOR OF STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY, ADAM SMITH BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Prof. John Crawford has over 30 years of experience in soil systems science. He is currently Chair in Strategy and Technology at the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow and is partnering with multinational corporates to deliver global solutions to the climate and environment crisis. He was previously Science Director at Rothamsted Research in the UK. In 2015, he established and was interim CEO of the £13M UK Centre for excellence in agricultural big data and metrics of sustainability, Agrimetrics. His research has focused in mathematical and computational analysis of organization in soil, cells, ecological communities and social systems. Grantsmanship exceeds $50M, and he has published nearly 200 peer-reviewed papers with >10k citations. He was awarded a Fellowship of the IMA in 2003 for contributions to mathematics and a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2007 for contributions to science.
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Jo Leigh
SENIOR FARMING ADVISER AT FARMING AND WILDLIFE ADVISORY GROUP (FWAG) (UK)
Joanne has been working with FWAG SouthWest since 2012 and provides land management advice for farmers looking to join environmental stewardship, create and improve wildlife habitats, improve water quality and implement Natural Flood Management.
Joanne has been involved in and co-ordinates several projects to improve water quality including the WILD project; organising the agenda for the FWAG volunteers working on the tributaries leading into the Cotswolds Water Park; facilitating the Yellow Fish projects for the River Ray and currently the Coln in Andoversford; working with the Fresh Water Watch group helping local farmers and local communities to monitor water quality. Joanne also facilitates the Carrant Catchment Area Restoration Project near Tewkesbury, helping to improve water quality by implementing Natural Flood Management and link habitat on a landscape scale.
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John Atkinson
CONSERVATION FARMER DODGSON WOOD, CHAIRMAN RARE BREED SURVIVAL TRUST (UK)
John Atkinson, a sixth-generation Cumbrian farmer, is a dedicated conservationist and advocate for rare breed preservation. His family's roots in farming extend back 600 years within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Lake District National Park. With a 400-acre farm and over a thousand animals, John's lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship began with 25 years of service at the National Trust, where he contributed to various cultural and environmental initiatives, including footpath restoration and tenant farm support. Today, he manages his farm full-time, prioritising environmental land improvements and biodiversity. His focus on native breeds, especially rare ones like Whitebred Shorthorn Cattle and Castlemilk Moorit sheep, aligns with his role as the Chair of the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST). He also serves on the boards of the Federation of Cumbria Commoners and the Whitebred Shorthorn Society.
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Lucy Filby
ASPIRING REGENERATIVE PRACTITIONER, HEAD OF LAND AND FORESTRY TRANSITION AT SOUTH OF SCOTLAND ENTERPRISE (SCOTLAND)
Lucy Filby is the Head of Land and Forestry Transition at South of Scotland Enterprise, a new economic development agency that lives its values of being bold, striving, inclusive and responsible. She has over 20 yrs experience of building partnerships to improve environmental outcomes in agriculture, food and drink. Lucy recently moved from environmental regulation into economic development because of her passionate belief that the health of our environment cannot be protected or improved without tackling poverty and inequality. She is an advocate for business to be a force for good. An aspiring regenerative practitioner, Lucy loves working in the spaces between current reality and future vision. She is a fan of good coffee and enjoys spending time in the garden.
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Tom Hunt
ECO-CHEF, AUTHOR, CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGNER (UK)
Tom Hunt is an award-winning chef, writer, climate change campaigner and author of the cookbook Eating for Pleasure, People & Planet.
He writes a weekly recipe column for the Guardian called Waste Not and works closely with various charities including Fairtrade and The Soil Association and is a signatory and podcast host for the Chef’s Manifesto – a United Nations initiative linked to the Global Goals, that calls on chefs around the world to champion climate-friendly cuisine in their kitchens for a more diverse, sustainable and delicious future.
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Alan Le Maistre
FARMER, LE TACHERON FARM (JERSEY)
Alan Le Maistre , a seventh-generation Jersey farmer, owns and operates his family-owned farm, Le Tacheron, with his brother and cousin. Le Tacheron is an exciting heritage farm based in Trinity, growing and milling a range of organic cereals, including Spelt, Oats, Barley and Winter Wheat, brewing cider and rearing grass fed goat, sheep and cows. Their traditional mill produces high quality stoneground flour that is rich in oils and nutrients and perfect for bread baking. Le Tacheron use working horses wherever possible to minimise their impact on the environment and reduce soil compaction. When they can't use horses they use lightweight machinery to minimise carbon emissions. They plant 10% of their land with wildflowers. Le Tacheron are part of the Pathways to Organic Markets Initiative.
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Sasha Marsh
FARMER, SOIL FARM (GUERNSEY)
Sasha Marsh, co-founder of Soil Farm, focuses on holistic landscape management to regenerate soil and improve the Soil Food Web naturally. They specialise in composting, offering tailored advice for each project to enhance soil health. Soil Farm also advocates for complementary regenerative practices that reduce costs and labour while bolstering natural biological processes. Education and product sourcing for healthier landscapes are integral to their mission, available through Hedge Veg stalls and partnering organisations.
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Oliver Griggs
FIRST-GENERATION FARMER, THE LOMAH (JERSEY)
Oliver Griggs, a first-generation farmer, embarked on his farming journey in 2022 with the establishment of The Lomah, aptly named 'The Land of Milk & Honey', in St John in Jersey.
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David Wolfe
LAWYER AND FARMER, WAKELYNS (UK)
Ann and Martin Wolfe initiated the groundbreaking organic rotation agroforestry system at Wakelyns in 1994, conducting it as a series of scientific trials. Their work gained international recognition for its innovations. After their passing, David Wolfe, along with his wife Amanda, and his brother Toby, have continued to develop one of the oldest and most diverse agroforestry systems into a sustainable community. This community focuses on short food chains and stacked enterprises.
At Wakelyns, an on-site bakery is closely integrated with farming and fruit growing. The RealVeg group follows a CSA model to produce organic veg boxes. Willow Phoenix utilise willow and other produce from the fields. Their efforts are dedicated to maximising productivity, biodiversity, and benefits for humanity across 56 acres, always open to new ideas.
In addition to growing the YQ population wheats developed at Wakelyns, they have recently introduced lentils, flax, various heritage wheats, and an experimental oat population. Scientific collaborations with the Organic Research Centre and university scientists ensure Wakelyns remains a hub for learning and research.
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Tom Fairfax
FARMER, MINDRUM ESTATE (UK)
Tom runs Mindrum Farm, a mixed farm nestled in the Cheviot Foothills of North Northumberland. The farm hosts 1000 Suffolk Mule Ewes, approximately 100 Shorthorn / Angus Suckler cows, and manages arable land, albeit with thin soil. With a longstanding commitment to agro-environmental practices, Mindrum Farm transitioned to a biology-led agroecological operating model in 2019 and successfully completed organic conversion by 2022.
Tom employs an array of regenerative tools and frameworks in his farming approach, notably using "on-farm microscopy" to monitor both soil and animal health, which, in turn, informs critical management decisions. The majority of inputs are sourced directly from the farm, reflecting a sustainable and self-sufficient ethos.
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Mike Duxbury
FARMER, INCLUSIVE FARM (UK)
Mike Duxbury, with his partner Ness, have built Inclusive Farm to give young people with disabilities a way into agriculture and give them the confidence to pursue their career.
Despite losing his sight at the age of 6, he became the first blind student at Warwickshire College of Agriculture, specialising in pig farming. With certifications in pig craftsmanship, AI, and a degree in animal nutrition, he later worked as a feed specialist for a national animal feed company.
Over three decades, his passion for agriculture remains strong, and he emphasises that the farming industry has been inclusive and discrimination-free. Inspired by remarkable individuals he met along the way, Mike aims to encourage other disabled individuals and those with special needs to pursue their farming and agriculture dreams.
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Maria Benjamin
ENTREPRENEUR & CO-FOUNDER OF DODGSON WOOD, THE SOAP DAIRY, LAKE DISTRICT TWEED, & THE WOOL LIBRARY (UK)
Maria runs multiple ethical businesses utilising farm commodities and skills gathered from her and her partners farm in the Lake District. Including The Soap Dairy, utilising their Jersey Cow Honeysuckle’s milk, Lake District Tweed, bringing provenance-based textiles back to the Lake District using wool sourced from within the different districts, and off-grid accommodation development within their carefully farmed land.
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Martin Gott
ARTISAN CHEESEMAKER, ST JAMES CHEESE (UK)
Martin Gott, a respected artisan cheese-maker, is renowned for creating the celebrated St James cheese. Crafted from the milk of 100 Lacaune sheep at Holker Farm, this seasonal delicacy shines during lambing season. Martin's cheese-making journey commenced at the age of 16 when he trained under the guidance of the renowned cheese-maker James Aldridge, who was a pioneer in 'washed rind' cheeses. He further honed his skills at Kirkham's Lancashire and Sleight Farm.
In 2006, Martin and his partner, Nicola Robinson, established their cheese-making venture on the Holker Estate, overcoming challenges such as culling their herd. St James cheese, a modern classic, boasts rich savoury flavours achieved through a meticulous washed-rind process. Martin and Nicola uphold non-intensive farming practices, ensuring their sheep graze on lush pastures and are milked once daily to produce high-quality milk. Their cheese is crafted in small batches, capturing the terroir naturally with homemade starter cultures.
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Annie Landless
FARMER AND AND SOIL TEST TRAINER, VIDACYCLE / SOILMENTOR APP (UK)
Annie wears several hats, she is full-time farmer at Ampney Brook Farm in the Cotswolds, producing organic vegetables, heritage and genetically diverse grains and pasture-fed beef. Alongside this Annie trains farmers in how to use simple soil tests to visually assess soil health with Soilmentor and works with Pasture for Life on tools to support farmers with direct marketing.
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Edward Bonn
GREAT PROJECT MANAGER / FARM ADVISOR AT FARMING & WILDLIFE ADVISORY GROUP (UK / JERSEY)
Edward Bonn is a Farm Environment Advisor for the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (South West) and originally from Jersey, with close connections to the island. At FWAG, Edward looks after the Upper Thames Catchment Partnership, bringing together partners from the farming sector, local communities, local government and interest groups, for a community-led, joined-up approach to environmental resilience. As well as facilitating the Upper Thames Catchment Partnership, Edward is co-delivering a ZeroDig project with multiple partners at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, to convert a 7-acre field into horticultural production which also rejuvenates soils and enhances biodiversity. Woodlands and Agroforestry are also a real passion, and a successful project to bring woodlands into farming systems, as a catalyst for stackable, mutually supportive enterprises and fantastic for re-connecting people with the landscape, is currently underway.
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Sam Pycroft
FARMER, ALDERNEY ROOTS (ALDERNEY)
Sam Pycroft, market gardener and co-founder of Alderney Roots Farm, provides the Alderney community with fresh, organically grown produce through CSA subscriptions and supplying local shops and restaurants. Sam places a strong emphasis on eco-friendly practices, including no-dig/minimum till methods, cover cropping, and producing chemical-free crops.
Throughout his five years of farming on Alderney, Sam has encountered numerous challenges while striving to establish a conscientious and sustainable food system that is both economically viable and environmentally responsible. He has forged partnerships with the States of Alderney to repurpose green waste and collaborated with the Alderney Wildlife Trust to enhance biodiversity and support insect populations on his 2.5-acre site.
Together with his partner, Rose and two young children they are working on creating a food system designed to endure not only for the present but also for future generations on Alderney. Sam and Rose share a profound belief in the resilience and significance of small-scale farming, recognising its far-reaching economic and social advantages.
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Rachel Stratton
SHEARER AND FARM CONSULTANT (UK)
Rachel Stratton, a modern-day shepherd and shearer, passionately champions sustainable agriculture while exploring diverse farming landscapes worldwide. With her loyal canine companion, she has traversed 22 countries, collaborating closely with regenerative farmers. In 2022, her remarkable journey spanned the UK, from the remote Orkney Islands to the picturesque Cornish Coast, fostering connections with farmers in dairy, beef, sheep, and venison sectors. Rachel's multifaceted roles as a shepherd, shearer, tractor driver, and advisor have honed her profound insight into agriculture, and she remains unwavering in her commitment to ecological practices, animal welfare, and the unsung heroes of our food production systems.
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Elle Vercoe-Gibson
LEAF MARQUE CERTIFICATION MANAGER
Elle leads on LEAF Marque Standard Setting and Impacts workstream, including standard development and implementation, stakeholder engagement and the development and delivery of the LEAF Sustainable Farming review. Elle collaborates with the supply chain and farmers to promote sustainable farming practices via LEAF Marque certification. Elle is also studying for her doctorate exploring the benefits of direct farm sales for dairy farmer wellbeing and dairy cow welfare.
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Dr. Paul Gibbs
SOIL SCIENTIST AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT (UK)
Dr. Paul Gibbs, a distinguished soil scientist and environmental consultant, focuses his expertise on soil stewardship. He addresses the widespread lack of knowledge among landowners and managers regarding effective soil management with passion and dedication. Paul serves a diverse clientele, ranging from Corporate Clients to Government Departments and independent farmers, spanning global regions. His specialties include emergency response, consultancy, and expert opinions in soil science and broader land environments, covering areas such as soil assessments, land contamination, agricultural productivity, land restoration, and waste recycling. Paul's work is driven by the vital goal of preserving and optimizing this invaluable resource for a sustainable future.
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Jamie Prow
REGENERATIVE BUSINESS CONSULTANT, MAKE HONEY (GUERNSEY)
Jamie Prow, a regenerative consultant, leverages his experience in start-ups to drive innovation and change. With skills in research, analysis, and strategic thinking, he offers creative solutions to organisations. His work spans tech, manufacturing, and agriculture, enabling cross-industry insights in impact, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. Jamie's freelance services through Make Honey aim to help brands thrive in a changing world.
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Josh Smith
JICAS STUDENT / MASTER OF SCIENCE - MSC UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Josh Smith, a Zoology specialist, focuses on animal behaviour, conservation, and evolution. He earned his undergraduate degree from Birmingham and is currently studying Island Biodiversity and Conservation at JICAS in partnership with the University of Exeter. Josh's research centres on Jersey's changing landscape, impacted by climate change and human activity, aiming to address ecological imbalances due to the loss of large herbivores like the dwarf red deer and Jersey sheep. To restore balance, he's proposing the introduction of wild-type horses and sheep to promote carbon removal and biodiversity in various ecosystems across Jersey. Josh's work reflects his dedication to environmental restoration and wildlife conservation.
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Jo Darwood
GP AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINE COACH (JERSEY)
Jo Darwood is an experienced GP and lifestyle medicine coach, with over 20 years in the medical field and 15 years in general practice. She's witnessed the impact of modern living on health, including issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, largely driven by lifestyle. Jo's mission is to educate and inspire people to make lasting, evidence-based changes in their lives. She offers supportive coaching for mental and physical well-being, focusing on gradual, sustainable transformations. Her approach has the potential to improve and even treat conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic pain, often reducing or eliminating the need for medication.
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Rob Marr
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH JERSEY GOVERNMENT
Rob Marr is a distinguished Public Health Deputy Director and Consultant, renowned for his expertise in enhancing diets at the population level. As a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health (FFPH), he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his field. Rob also serves as a dedicated board member for the Food Foundation's Dietary Inequalities Project, where he actively contributes to addressing and rectifying disparities in dietary patterns, further solidifying his commitment to public health and improving nutrition for all.