David Farquhar FRGS

Big news to share today. 🌽 We’ve just released new insights mapping how UK farming interacts with nature across millions of hectares. Why? As the UK’s largest lender to agriculture, we’re helping farmers build resilience and profitability by moving to more sustainable practices. Using Earth Blox geospatial data, we’ve identified where targeted support can make the biggest difference: 700,000 hectares for improved water management 🚿 1.2 million hectares perfect for habitat creation 🪲 600,000 hectares for tree and hedge planting 🌳 …and there’s more. Our new Agricultural Transition Finance loan launches soon.

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ADOPT announces more funding and support to empower farmer innovation💰 This initiative, part of the Farming Innovation Programme funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and delivered by Innovate UK, aims to support farmer-led research and development projects with significant funding and expert guidance. The next round of funding has been announced and it offers farmers the chance to apply for additional support for their innovations – however applicants have until June 25, 2025, to apply for the Full Grant Round 1 of funding. The fund provides two types of grants: 👉Support Grants: Up to £2,500 to help develop ideas and bring in expert facilitators 👉Full Project Grants: Between £50,000 and £100,000 for farmer-led projects Farmers can apply directly for a full grant or start with a support grant to develop their ideas first. Read our latest blog to learn: 🟢What is ADOPT? 🟢Why ADOPT Matters 🟢What’s open now? 🟢Tips for applicants ➡️Read here: https://ow.ly/zjGZ50Wbx8B #resilientsystems #intelligentagriculture #acceleratingagritech #agritech #agribusiness

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“We are at the dawn of a significant new super cycle - one with immense potential to drive growth and deliver nature positive impact on a global scale” 🌱🚀   Peter Bachmann, Managing Director of Sustainable Infrastructure, discusses the future of nature investing, vertical farming and international expansion in his article for IPE Real Assets.   The UK Government’s implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) legislation in February 2024 provided the regulatory clarity needed to unlock the potential of nature-based solutions as a scalable and impactful investment opportunity in England.   We now operate the largest national network of #habitatbanks through portfolio company Environment Bank, who have successfully completed over 50 transactions with major companies, including National Grid, Panattoni and Galliard Homes.   Peter highlights that the key focus for 2025 will be to explore the internalisation of our strategy, with North America, the Middle East, and Europe emerging as priority regions for growth.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e6RgX7uH   #verticalfarming #sustainableinfrastructure

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🌟 Exciting Times for Dairy Innovation in South-West Scotland 🌟 As the Dairy Nexus at SRUC Barony College prepares for its grand launch next week, this region stands on the brink of a transformative era for the dairy sector in the south-west of Scotland. The state-of-the-art facility is more than just a building; it’s a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, set to play a pivotal role in: - **Boosting Productivity** By integrating cutting-edge technologies like Digital Twin systems and advanced biorefinery units, the centre will empower farmers and businesses to optimise operations and enhance efficiency. **Driving Sustainability** With a strong focus on decarbonisation, the Dairy Nexus will lead the charge in creating greener, more sustainable dairy practices. **Fostering Collaboration** Bringing together researchers, advisors, farmers, and businesses, this hub will tackle real-world challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Dairying is a cornerstone of the economy in Dumfries and Galloway, with its rich network of producers, processors, and innovators. The Dairy Nexus will not only strengthen this ecosystem but also position the region as a leader in advanced, sustainable dairy practices. This is a moment to celebrate the power of partnership and the potential of innovation to shape a brighter, more sustainable future for the dairy industry. Let’s raise a glass of milk to the incredible journey ahead. 🥛 #DairyInnovation #Sustainability #Collaboration #SouthWestScotland #DairyNexus South of Scotland Enterprise Borderlands Partnership Dumfries and Galloway Council The Scottish Government GOV.UK

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🌳A year ago, AHDB Environment Director Chris Gooderham said farming faced the biggest challenge of a generation: proving its positive environmental impact. That’s why we launched the Environment Baselining Pilot with Quality Meat Scotland. In this blog, Chris looks back at year one - what we’ve learned, the challenges, and what it means for farmers. 👉 https://lnkd.in/egqbPkYW

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Quality Meat Scotland and AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board are one year into a baselining pilot which collects real-world data from more than 170 UK farms to measure 'carbon in' versus 'carbon out'. This is an important pilot for future government policy as it will reduce the reliance on one-sided (often international) data which only report emissions and omit carbon capture and storage. 🏃‍♀️‍➡️ To put this in context, imagine if I only measured how many calories you ate and ignored the calories you expended in physical or metabolic activities. This would give a false impression of your obesity risk. 🚜 In the same way, an imprecise estimate is being made of the climate impact of UK livestock farming by ignoring carbon sequestration in grazing land, the positive impact of livestock on soil health, flooding risk and biodiversity, the nutrient content of meat/eggs/dairy, and the cyclical nature of family farms (where crops and animals are interlinked). 🍒 I am excited to see the results of the baselining project - you can get more details here https://lnkd.in/e4y-MFGk

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Big news for British agri-tech! 🌱🚀 We’re absolutely delighted to see agri-tech recognised as a “frontier sector” in the UK Government’s new 10-year Industrial Strategy. 🙌 This is a real milestone, finally acknowledging the innovation, collaboration and commercial potential across our sector. Agri-tech IS a frontier industry. 🍃 To quote Richard Waite from the World Resources Institute: 💥 Worried about biodiversity loss? Focus on food. 💥 Worried about deforestation? Focus on food. 💥 Worried about overfishing? Focus on food. 💥 Worried about climate change? Focus on energy. And food. Food is the future, and so is agri-tech. 📈 The number of UK agri-tech startups has grown 40-fold in the last decade (UK Research and Innovation). 📅 Now, with a £200m commitment to the Farming Innovation Programme until 2030, and a place alongside sectors like aerospace and advanced materials, we’re finally getting the platform (and investment) to take it to the next level. We can’t wait to see what this means for us, our peers, and the brilliant agri-tech community. There’s more to do, but we’re growing in the right direction. 🌍💪 Exciting times. Stay tuned. 🌿 #AgriTech #FrontierSector #IndustrialStrategy #Innovation #FutureOfFood #SustainableFarming #VerticalFarming #GrowUpFarms #Unbeleafable

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It's #InternationalDayOfForests! In our NEW blog post, fourth generation farmer John shares what they have learned from introducing agroforestry at Shimpling Park Farm, a mixed organic farm in Suffolk and one of the UK’s leading examples of agroforestry within an arable system. John secured an agreement with The Woodland Trust. "I’m a farmer, not a tree expert" says John. "So working with another organisation took a bit of the risk away from me. "Alongside the wildlife benefits, the project has had huge social benefits too" John continues. "We get about 25 to 30 farm visits a year from people who want to see the agroforestry. When people get to see what we do – while still producing food - it really does give them confidence to think about doing it too." Read more: https://lnkd.in/egJvAZyu 📷 Tom Allen Stevens #ForestDay #Agroforestry

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Farmers across England can now apply for Defra grants worth up to £25,000 to invest in improving animal health and welfare - leading to higher productivity, better quality, and more reliable food production - which help increase profits. This new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) will make £16.7 million available to pig, sheep, dairy cow, beef cattle, laying hen and meat chicken farmers.   Applications close on 10 July. https://lnkd.in/e9aPYRbf

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#FundingFriday This week the Innovation and Research Caucus published a comprehensive report 'Mapping the Innovation and Commercialisation Infrastructure for Agricultural Technology in the UK'. It revealed that only 44% of Agri-tech companies know where to find the funding they need to turn ideas into reality. Enter us...! #Agri-TechEgotyoucovered We keep abreast of latest funding opps, local and national, for our Funding Finder. And right now, it's looking stuffed! Here's a roundup of the best funding opportunities available right now: 🌍 Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab - to develop packaging and packaging alternatives for specialty crops. Deadline: 28th February 🌱 Food & Drink Accelerator (Growing Kent & Medway) – do you have a new plant-based food or drink idea? Deadline: 14th February 💼 The FSE Group Scale-Ups: Growth Loans & Private Equity – investments from £50k up to £5m. Rolling deadline 📝 Norfolk County Council & Suffolk County Council - mentoring and bid writing support for Innovate UK funding calls. Deadline: 28th February 🚜 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Farming Technology Fund – for tech and infrastructure improvements in farming. Deadline: 15th March 🌍 Horizon Europe AgriFood Funding – Supports innovation in agri-food . Deadline: 28th February 🌾 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Farming Innovation Programme. Rolling deadline 🌱 EIT Food Impact Funding – Co-funding for projects that impact the food sector. Deadline: 15th March ⚡ Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) Phase 3 – Grant funding for improving energy efficiency in agriculture. Deadline: 30th April 🏆 UK Rolling Funding Calls – Ongoing calls for innovation and agri-tech projects. Rolling deadline 🌱 New Anglia Growth Hub grants to reduce carbon footprints in agriculture. Deadline: 31st March There isn't long so get your applications in now - for more details, other opps and how to apply, visit our Funding Finder: https://lnkd.in/eTJufXhq

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We’re pleased to launch the AgriScale pilot, unveiled by Defra Minister Dame Angela Eagle at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit last month, to help UK agri-tech businesses scale up manufacturing and strengthen our food supply chains. AgriScale is designed to accelerate product manufacturing, bridging the gap between concept and market, and supporting businesses to overcome scale-up challenges with tailored expertise through the High Value Manufacturing Catapult from the MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre and WMG, University of Warwick. With their support, five UK-based companies will receive hands-on support to tackle automation, reliability, sustainability, and flexible manufacturing challenges. This collaborative approach will accelerate the development and commercialisation of new technologies, helping the UK lead in sustainable food production and advanced manufacturing. Find out more about AgriScale and how we’re driving growth, resilience, and green innovation in UK agri-tech. https://lnkd.in/eGyinm9b #AgriScale #Agritech #Manufacturing #FoodSecurity #UKFarming

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Waitrose net zero farm fund aims to build resilience 👉 Read here: https://lnkd.in/dKsUbdMD   Waitrose has announced the recipients of a new £500k fund aimed at helping British farmers transition to low carbon farming methods, as part of its commitment to reach net zero across its UK farms by 2035 and the entire supply chain by 2050. The net zero farm fund will support nine innovative projects that reduce agricultural emissions and build resilience in farming. James Bailey, Managing Director, Waitrose said, “It’s a challenging time for farmers, yet we saw a real ambition from applicants to the fund to drive forward climate and nature friendly farming. We’re excited to see the projects come to life and all the amazing benefits they will bring.”

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