Philanthropy in Regenerative Food and Farming - Driving Systems Change
Rothschild Foundation and Environmental Funders Network
11th June 2024
at Windmill Hill Archives, Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
COP28 last December set a new goal: a global transition to resilient, viable food production done in harmony with nature by 2040. Global philanthropy has called for a tenfold increase in funding to enable regenerative methods.
In the UK, where 70% of our land is used for farming, an estimated 53% of the UK’s biodiversity loss has been caused by agricultural practices. A transition to regenerative farming can reverse this. However, new data from the Environmental Funders Network highlights a significant lack of funding.
The Rothschild Foundation is collaborating with other leading funders to make the case for more philanthropy to support regenerative food and farming in the UK.
Our goal for the event is to initiate a wider network for funding and collaboration. We’d value your contribution to help us develop a shared approach and enable transformational change to our food and farming system.
The day includes a farm tour of the Waddesdon Estate, lunch and afternoon of talks and discussion with funders, business pioneers and grantees who are leading change.
Our audience represents a cross section of trusts and foundations involved with the environment, climate change, biodiversity, and conservation in the UK, as well as those already funding agriculture and food.
Programme
9:30am-10am Arrival and refreshments
10:15-12pm Farm tour on Waddesdon estate
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Welcome, The Hon. Hannah Rothschild CBE, Chair, Rothschild Foundation
1:35pm Introduction, Anna Guyer, Greenhouse Communications, moderator
Keynote: In conversation with Alasdair MacLeod, Founder, Macdoch Foundation + Q&A With Charlotte Smith, lead presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today
2:10pm COP28 & global advocacy:
Patrick Holden, dairy farmer, Founder & CEO with Adele Jones, Executive Director, Sustainable Food Trust
2:20pm Strategic philanthropy:
Liam McAleese, Director, Our Natural World programme, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation: nature friendly farming – strategic change
Darren Chin, Deputy Trust Executive, Aurora and Mark Leonard Trusts: Supporting wiser research and farming practices within regenerative systems
Bonnie Hewson, Director, Farming the Future: Collaborative funding approaches to enable a just transition to agroecology
Thomas Legge, Director, Land Use, European Climate Foundation: shared priorities and convening across EU
Ellie Stout, Director of Grants and Fiona Gately, Consultant, Rothschild Foundation: new strategic focus
2:50pm UK Agriculture – state of play, headlines from Charlotte Smith
Q&A
3:05-3:20pm Break
3:20pm Regenerative farming programmes tackling climate change and biodiversity loss:
– Enabling farmers – Martin Lines, arable farmer and CEO, Nature Friendly Farming Network
– Public engagement – Sue Pritchard, organic farmer and Chief Executive, Food Farming and Countryside Commission
– Promoting regenerative farming theory and practice – Alex Cherry, arable farmer and founder, Groundswell Festival
– Social investment – Robert Fraser, Executive Director of the Real Farming Trust and Manager of LEAP, Loans for Enlightened Agriculture Programme
3:50pm UK Funding Context – Where the Green Grants Went:
Florence Miller, Trustee, Gower Street and Director, Environmental Funders Network
