Grazing for Good

The programme comprises of three main elements:

1. A series of on-farm events and webinars, covering a wide range of topics and skills relating to regenerative grazing. The topics covered will be shaped by the needs of the farmers in the region.

2. 1:1 or small group peer mentoring on topics linked to grazing management, flexibly tailored to meet farmers’ needs.

3. Working with three focus farms who have already made the change to regenerative grazing methods to demonstrate how these approaches work on farms in this region. And on these farms we will be collecting detailed baseline data to provide evidence on how regenerative grazing methods can support viable food production while enhancing soil health, sequestering carbon, and reducing dependence on inputs, therefore delivering economic resilience.

If you want to be a focus farm, scroll down to find out how.

Can I join the programme if I am not based in the project area?

It is part of the stipulation of the funding that those joining the programme of events and mentoring must be farming in the York and North Yorkshire combined authority.

Can I join the programme if I am already a PfL member?

Yes, as long as you are farming in the York and North Yorkshire combined authority area.

Do I have to become PfL certified if I join the programme?

No, there is no expectation to become PfL certified although we are happy to help you on your journey towards certification if that is appropriate for you.

What is a focus farm and how can I be one?

We are looking for three farmers (farming 50ha or more) that are already using adaptive multi paddock (AMP) grazing approaches on their farms to become focus farms for the project. These farms will act as living classrooms, allowing others to benefit from experience of what has worked, and not worked, on farms in the region.

We will organise two (or more if you’re keen!) events on each farm. We will take care of the event planning and admin, but we want to work with you to design events relevant to your farming business and regenerative grazing journey.

Additionally, Pasture for Life is working in collaboration with Regenerate Outcomes to collect an in-depth set of baseline data on each focus farm. Through registration with Regenerate Outcomes you would receive baseline soil carbon testing across your farm and mentoring to support you in improving your soil health and carbon sequestration.

Our staff and external experts will work with you to capture soil health and biodiversity data and complete carbon, public goods and business assessments. You will be supported throughout the process to interpret the data and understand how you can use it to support your farming decisions. In turn, the baseline data from the focus farms will inform the knowledge exchange program, helping other farmers understand more about how baseline data could benefit their farming businesses.

We are keen to work with grazing livestock farmers in York and North Yorkshire of all ages and levels of experience, tenant or owner occupied. We are not looking for perfect farms or farmers who never make mistakes. We are looking for farmers who are curious to learn more about their farm and enjoy discussing what they are doing with other farmers.

If this sounds like you, or you want to know more, please email Amy on [email protected]. Selection of the three focus farms will be based on how well the farming business aligns with the project aims as described above.

Grazing for Good is funded by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Grazing for Good will build on the successful delivery by Pasture for Life of 17 programmes for Farming in Protected Landscapes funded by National Landscapes and DEFRA from 2022 to 2025. The outcomes were powerful and changed many farm businesses and practices for the better, including individual farmer wellbeing.