Vineyards affiliated with Waitrose secure accreditation for regenerative practices
Leckford Estate Achieves Regenerative Certification, Paving the Way for Nature-Friendly Farming in the UK
The Leckford Estate in Hampshire has made history by becoming the first vineyard and pan-European first for apple and pear orchards to achieve Regenified Certification. This significant milestone is part of Waitrose's initiative, Farming for Nature, aimed at supporting biodiversity and environmental sustainability across their agricultural supply chain.
The Regenified 6-3-4™ Verification Standard, a certification framework for regenerative agriculture, has been adopted by the Leckford Estate. This standard promotes farming methods that enhance soil quality, increase carbon sequestration, improve water use efficiency, support pollinator habitats, and boost biodiversity.
Specifically, the Leckford Estate's farming practices focus on enhancing soil health, sequestering carbon, facilitating water infiltration and retention, supporting biodiversity, and promoting adaptive stewardship. These techniques aim to restore ecosystem health and contribute positively to the environment.
Andrew Hoad, Head of the Leckford Estate, expressed pride in being the first UK vineyard and orchard to achieve Regenified's certification. He hopes that more farmers will embrace similar practices, potentially leading to certification.
Salar Shemirani, Co-Founder and CEO of Regenified, congratulated Waitrose on their adoption of regenerative agriculture. She expressed excitement for Regenified to be part of the ongoing Waitrose regenerative journey.
The Leckford Estate's commitment to regenerative farming reflects their belief in producing high-quality products while caring for the environment. This commitment is part of Waitrose's larger goal to drive change by experimenting with nature-friendly farming practices.
In addition to the Leckford Estate, Maker's Mark Bourbon is another example of a company certified under the Regenified Tier 3 standard. This standard emphasizes regenerative agriculture practices by working with local grain farmers to improve soil and water quality through techniques like cover cropping and no-till farming.
To further support farmers transitioning to regenerative agriculture, the Leckford Estate is working towards establishing a Centre of Excellence. This Centre will provide tools, workshops, and online resources to help farmers adopt these sustainable practices.
The Regenified Certification marks a significant step towards establishing a Centre of Excellence for regenerative agriculture. It benefits the environment by verifying and encouraging farming systems that regenerate the land, restore natural ecosystems, and reduce harmful inputs and practices, resulting in healthier soils, enhanced biodiversity, and increased carbon capture.
This news is a promising development for the future of sustainable agriculture in the UK and beyond. As more farmers adopt regenerative practices, we can look forward to a future where high-quality products are produced while caring for the environment.
- The science of environmental sustainability, particularly regenerative agriculture, has gained momentum as the Leckford Estate in the UK's Hampshire region has implemented sustainable living practices, aiming for harmonious home-and-garden and climate-change solutions.
- By adopting the Regenified 6-3-4™ Verification Standard and educating farmers through a Centre of Excellence, the Leckford Estate's commitment to sustainability contributes to the growth of regenerative agriculture in environmental-science and could potentially inspire other UK farming industries to follow suit.
- As the Regenified Certification paves the way for future nature-friendly farming, focusing on sustainable living and enhancing ecosystems, we may witness a shift in the agricultural landscape, promoting a lifestyle that fosters biodiversity and combats climate-change.
