Collaborative Farming Initiatives: Environmental Benefits for Farmer Groups

Collaborative initiatives among neighboring farmers dedicated to environmental stewardship are yielding greater results through unified efforts.

From farmer cooperatives and community interest organizations to cluster groups, there is a plethora of arrangements that facilitate collaboration.

There is a growing acknowledgment that substantial changes will arise from widespread implementation of various programs, many of which also present economic advantages.

For further insights, check out: Collaborative options available to help arable farmers

Additionally, competitive programs like Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENS) are emerging, where businesses—often multinational—offer monetary incentives to farmers for providing ecosystem services.

For those looking to expand their efforts towards nature restoration, clean water initiatives, and carbon sequestration, there are multiple avenues to access rewards from landscape-scale environmental enhancements.

Environmental Farmers Group (EFG)

The Environmental Farmers Group is a cooperative that is owned and led by farmers, focused on generating natural capital benefits and fostering a positive environmental impact at a significant scale.

Co-founded with the support of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, which offers coordination, scientific guidance, and advisory assistance, the EFG aims to leverage collective action for optimal environmental and financial outcomes related to various goods and services.

Members of the EFG can offer services such as:

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units
• Nitrate Neutrality (NN) phosphate credits
• Nitrate Neutrality (NN) nitrate credits
• Voluntary carbon credits
• Voluntary biodiversity or nature credits
• Customized ecosystem services.

Currently, the EFG boasts 156 members, encompassing 67,000 hectares, with an additional 297 farmers expressing interest, which could add another 187,000 hectares.

Collective Action

According to Dr. Johnny Wake of Courteenhall Farms, chair of the EFG’s central England region, collaboration is essential. This newly established region, which debuted this year, is the largest among five EFG regions.

Covering river catchments across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire, it has the potential to span 710,000 hectares.

This new network can benefit from the extensive expertise and insights the broader EFG has already gathered regarding emerging natural capital markets suitable for catchment-scale projects.

Close to 3% of England’s agricultural land is now part of the EFG. “By uniting in this manner, we can implement environmental enhancements more effectively and equitably,” he shared.

“Conversely, if we operate independently, we risk being overlooked and exploited.”

He sees immense potential in farmers collaborating on landscape levels, as demonstrated by the existing EFG groups. “Together, farmers wield increased negotiation power, benefiting from landscape connectivity and resource pooling.”

“This collaboration also means we can align with other local initiatives, enhancing appeal to prospective buyers.”

© P J Johnsons & Sons

While much attention has been on biodiversity net gain (BNG) and carbon credits, there are promising opportunities in nutrient neutrality (addressing phosphate and nitrogen effects) as well as environmental, social, and governance units and compliance with Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures.

“Although these are still emerging fields, they hold significant potential. The EFG is already positioned to offer six different services,” says Johnny.

Furthermore, sharing knowledge and insights enhances the experience for member farmers, streamlining the process of identifying trustworthy service providers.

“Engagement in this sector necessitates legal compliance, sufficient scale, and credibility. The EFG meets all these criteria and is already seen as a reliable trading partner.”

Membership enables farmers and landowners to stay updated on evolving opportunities in the complex natural capital landscape.

The EFG operates as a cooperative with a membership fee of £1.25 per hectare. When a natural capital transaction is made, 88% of the trade’s value goes back to the originating farmer, 9% is distributed evenly among other group members, and 3% contributes to the cooperative’s operational needs.

Once farmers join, they are required to conduct all trades through the EFG.

According to Digby Sowerby of Natural Capital Advisory, which manages the EFG’s executive functions, two trades have been completed thus far, with a dozen more in the pipeline, expected to finalize soon.

“Currently, these trades mainly focus on nutrient neutrality credits in southern England, along with several inquiries for BNG,” he explains.

A soil carbon offer, following thorough evaluations of soil carbon providers, will soon be introduced for members. “Here, scale is key, with buyers seeking purchases exceeding 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.”

Formation and Growth

Member recruitment for the EFG has predominantly been through referrals and existing networks, says Colin Smart, tasked with educating farmers on the natural capital prospects.

“When the EFG was launched in 2022, these markets were nascent,” he shares. “Recognizing the complexity and rapid pace of developments, it was crucial for farmers to have a dependable guide.”

Thus, momentum was already established by the time he began outreach to potential members.

Many were already engaged in nine separate cluster groups across the South and South West, familiar with the value of collaborative efforts.

“The fact that the EFG is farmer-owned and not-for-profit significantly resonated with them,” Colin points out. “Effective communication with members remains vital as the organization continues to grow.”

“By acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ for ecosystem service prospects, we carry the responsibility to keep members informed,” he asserts.

Regular newsletters, quarterly gatherings, and continuous updates are part of this communication strategy.

The recent government transition serves as a relevant example—members needed clarity on its implications.

Colin notes positive growth within the group. “A key lesson learned is that the newly regulated offerings rely heavily on planning, making it a slow progression, which we must accept.”

He emphasizes that buyers seeking ecosystem services increasingly prefer a single point of contact for their credit requirements, creating an excellent opportunity for the agriculture sector.

“A large developer or homebuilder appreciates dealing solely with the EFG for their needs, which they view favorably.”

Green Farm Collective

A group of four prominent farmers has initiated a collective aimed at regenerative practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity, offering a viable avenue for carbon investments.

The Green Farm Collective brings together farmers with shared goals to achieve net-zero emissions, boost agricultural biodiversity, and create additional revenue streams.

Partnering with Trinity Agtech, the collective tracks carbon impacts and natural capital through Trinity Natural Capital Markets.

Active member farmers, around 40 in total, pay an annual fee of £250 to participate.

To qualify, members must operate net-zero businesses and have certifications reflecting their farm’s natural capital status, along with robust protocols regarding biodiversity, water management, and plant health.

The collective’s regenerative wheat standard has been developed, allowing farmers to secure a £20 per tonne premium over what local milling facilities typically offer, with the initial deliveries slated for this summer, to be utilized in making regenerative pizza dough.

This standard cuts herbicide and fungicide use by half compared to conventional farming methods and limits nitrogen application to a maximum of 180kg/ha, targeting a grain protein content of 11.5%.

“This wheat is cultivated according to our established standards and is verified by Food Integrity Assurance,” states founder Jake Freestone. “It ensures that regenerative agricultural products make it to consumers’ tables.”

LENS

Farmers interested in supplying ecosystem services to partners with broader sustainability goals could explore the Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENS), particularly in selected agricultural regions.

Driven by the pursuit of net-zero emissions, LENS connects stakeholders committed to outcomes from agricultural land use, including major corporations like Nestle, Pepsico, British Sugar, and various water companies.

LENS rewards farmers who adopt nature-focused solutions that meet defined outcomes in specific areas.

In the UK, LENS operates in several trade regions, including East Anglia, Yorkshire, and Cumbria, with expansions into Poland, Hungary, and Italy.

The network facilitates discussions and transactions between farmers and buyers who seek these services on the ground.

Cluster Groups

Initially founded by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust in 2012, farmer cluster groups remain an effective model for executing environmental projects, whereby farmers voluntarily collaborate for the mutual benefit of soil, water, and wildlife.

These groups operate independently from other initiatives, working towards connecting and enhancing vital habitats and reviving crucial species.

Many clusters have applied for funding from the Natural England Facilitation Fund, while others have sourced private financing.

Chloe Timberlake recognized the opportunity to form a farmer cluster group along the river Ray in South Oxfordshire in 2022, when she was employed by Natural England.

Having invested considerable effort into identifying farmers willing to collaborate, Chloe discovered a community eager to enhance larger-scale habitat efforts.

She was pleasantly surprised by the turnout at the inaugural meeting, held in a local pub in November 2022, where around 40 farmers gathered, most discovering the initiative through personal networks.

“We didn’t employ recruitment strategies; the timing was right, and goodwill helped it take off,” she reflects.

With slightly more than 30 farmer members covering 15,000 hectares, this cluster has successfully secured funding, with Chloe now working as a farming consultant for Ceres Rural as its facilitator.

After receiving initial funding for meeting expenses, she secured additional support from Natural England to facilitate bird feeding initiatives across 28 local farms.

“That marked a strong beginning,” she emphasizes. “Farmers quickly recognized the advantages of being part of this group.”

Ongoing support from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust has provided up to £120,000 earmarked for bird surveys and comprehensive farm planning.

The cluster aligns with the Trust’s initiative, Reconnecting Bernwood, Otmoor, and the Ray, which focuses on restoring landscapes and strengthening rural livelihoods via connected habitats and biodiversity corridors.

This ecologically diverse region spans 300 square kilometers and features fragmented ecosystems and rare species, including ancient woodlands, species-rich grasslands, and floodplain meadows, bordered by the towns of Buckingham, Bicester, Aylesbury, and Oxford. The cluster also collaborates with an RSPB reserve at Otmoor, facilitating growth of wet grassland species where suitable.

“Collaborative approaches are vital for achieving the best outcomes,” Chloe asserts. “When farmers become aware of the wildlife they have and how to support it, they are inclined to engage positively.”

The steering group helps maintain a farmer-led focus within the cluster. Stakeholder events are organized, and priorities are set, ensuring all members collaborate towards common objectives while remaining open to newcomers.

A three-year Facilitation Fund agreement, part of Countryside Stewardship, commenced in June 2024, funding meetings and speaker organization for the next three years.

Efforts are underway to secure additional private and public funding sources.

“Thus far, funding has primarily supported initial activities like information sharing and meetings. Our data indicates that well-organized events inspire farmers to alter their practices,” Chloe notes.

“Our future goals include utilizing funding for on-the-ground projects, aiming for each member to have an individualized whole farm plan that assesses existing resources and development opportunities.”