Rob Shepherd: The Innovative Ecosystems Pioneer Driving Game Changing Solutions

Rob Shepherd, chairman of the Environmental Farmers Group (EFG), has been nominated for our prestigious Game Changers Award, set to be revealed at the Farmers Weekly Awards on October 3, 2024.

Amid rising societal expectations from farmers, Rob Shepherd advocates for equitable compensation for agricultural producers who contribute to environmental stewardship alongside food production.

The Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) fosters collaborative partnerships among farmers in clusters, aiming to achieve optimal environmental outcomes and financial benefits by offering ecosystem services on a landscape level.

See also: Game Changers – Amy Jackson, farming media campaigner

In collaboration with Teresa Dent from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Rob took the lead as a farmer in the UK’s inaugural cluster group back in 2013.

This initiative united farmers over 2,500 hectares within the Avon catchment area across Hampshire and Wiltshire.

“We all agreed that we wanted to shape our own future,” he states.

“Having participated in farm conservation initiatives since the ’90s, we felt while we were compensated, there was a lack of autonomy in conservation practices.”

Farmer Empowerment

“Our findings highlighted that directives from above do not translate effectively across diverse landscapes. We aimed for a more farmer-centric approach to conservation,” he explains.

Instead of following external mandates, the group prioritized its own objectives, defined its guidelines, and selected species for encouragement based on their preferences.

With time, more farmers joined, allowing the initial cluster to expand to cover 7,500 hectares, setting a precedent for other groups.

The farmer-owned EFG was subsequently established to assist additional farmers in forming their clusters, pursuing a blend of private and public financing, including support from the Environmental Land Management scheme.

Currently, over 560 farmers are affiliated with the EFG, collaborating in regional groups to combat biodiversity decline, ensure clean water supply, and sequester carbon across an area exceeding 267,000 hectares—representing about 3% of England’s agricultural land.

Numerous Advantages

Rob comments, “We share a common philosophy: farmers inherently understand what their land requires.”

“They decide which species to promote and tailor conservation strategies accordingly, embracing a bottom-up rather than top-down approach.”

Working in clusters also presents additional benefits, allowing each group to customize the ecosystem services they provide and the environmental impacts in line with local needs.

As the Basic Payment Scheme phases out, farmers will increasingly look to natural capital as a crucial income source, Rob asserts.

Additionally, attracting private investments will become more feasible when farmers collaborate.

“What could be a more effective strategy for farmers than unlocking private funds for conservation, ensuring targeted outcomes, all while alleviating pressure on taxpayers?”