LEAFcast

How can collaboration between farmers and researchers drive real change on the ground? In this LEAF Digs Deeper session, we explore how co-designed research is helping to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical farming decisions. We’re joined by: - Nick Down – Farm Manager at Yattendon Estate and Head of Sustainability at Velcourt Ltd. - Dr Alice Mauchline – Associate Professor o...

Our latest LEAF Digs Deeper session takes a closer look at the vital role agriplastics play in modern farming and the growing need to improve how they are recovered and recycled. From silage wrap to crop covers, agriplastics are essential tools for productivity and efficiency. However, as their use continues, so do the challenges around responsible disposal and recycling. In this session, we explo...

Climate-Smart Dairy: LEAF Digs Deeper – Key Insights In this LEAF Digs Deeper session, we explore how climate-smart dairy practices are being applied on the ground to improve efficiency, resilience, and environmental performance. Featuring insights from Zoe Barker (University of Reading) on the SmartDairy Project and Sven Koops (CEDAR), the discussion highlights how better use of data, precision t...

In this LEAF Surgery session, we explore how environmental baselining can evolve from simple data collection into a powerful tool for decision‑making, farm resilience, and value creation across the supply chain. We were joined by two expert speakers: Sarah Haynes , Head of Sustainability at the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) – sharing insights from IGD’s work on the value of baselining En...

Our latest podcast takes a deeper dive into the roots of supporting tree health on-farm. Join Andrew Keyte , Farm Manager at LEAF Demonstration Farm, Ragley Home Farms, Dr Jake Morris who specialises in Plant Health Evidence & Analysis at Defra and LEAF Technical Officer, Eleanor Marks, as they talk tactics, technologies and teamwork for smarter, more integrated approaches to tree health manag...

In this episode, Elle Vercoe-Gibson, LEAF Marque Certification Manager, discusses the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review, how it works, what it delivers for farmers, it’s role within an Integrated Farm Management approach to more sustainable farming and finally, how it fits in with LEAF Marque certification.  Support the show

In this episode, we discussed SEAMS (Sus­tain­abil­i­ty in Edu­ca­tion and Agri­cul­ture using Mix­tures), a four-year project funded by the Esme Fairbairn Foundation and coordinated by the James Hutton Institute, as the project draws to a close. The project focused on crop mixtures and aimed to develop, promote and implement crop species mixtures as a sustainable crop production system for Scotla...

Join Elle Vercoe-Gibson, LEAF's Certification Manager talking through the LEAF Marque Standard v16.0. Focussing on the latest changes to the Standard, what these changes mean for LEAF Marque growers and touching on a general overview of LEAF Marque as a whole.  Support the show

This week we’re in Cornwall with our Ambassador for the South West, Rona Amiss, talking with chicken and arable farmer Jenny Olds about how they found hosting their LOFS event for the first time last year, county show clashes and wet weather plans!  Support the show

Lucy Redmore, LEAF Assurance Manager explains how LEAF Marque works with Certification Bodies and the role they play in LEAF's monitoring and evaluation programme. She also talks us through the application process for Certification Bodies to work with LEAF. Support the show

In this episode LOFS ambassador in Scotland,  Rebecca Dawes and Caroline chat about the benefits of hosting a LEAF Open Farm Sunday event for a diversified farm business! Support the show

LEAF’s 10 year strate­gic direc­tion (2021−2031) builds on our core capa­bil­i­ties and strengths and deliv­ers against 8 com­mit­ments. In this series of pod­casts, LEAF Chief Exec­u­tive, Car­o­line Drum­mond explores each of the com­mit­ments and exam­ines how each feed into LEAF’s wider ambi­tions. Today we learn about ​‘Growing Education and Engaging Society’. Support the show

LOFS Ambassador for the East of England,  Jon Myhill speaks to Jane Louden from Crown Point Estate about hosting their first LOFS event in 2021, the practicalities of running a larger event in conjunction with another organisation, and how help is key!  Support the show

Lucy and Ally discuss how his events have been his favourite days on farm, how local marketing really worked for his events, and some fun activity ideas they have used after the initial worry of having nothing of interest to show the public due to having no livestock on farm! Support the show

In this episode we join LOFS Ambassador for the North East, Anne Mair Chapman who chats to Cameron Harrison about his fascinating story of elephant garlic and his first time taking part in LEAF Open Farm Sunday last year, and how his event differed from Anne's event, who also took part for the first time!  A chance to hear how every farm has something fascinating to show visitors.  Support th...

Lewis Davies, Group Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Wynnstay and Clare Mike, LEAF’s Director, Business Development discuss partnerships, people, projects and the LEAF membership offer.  Support the show

Join our series of LEAF Open Farm Sunday podcasts, where we meet LOFS host farmers from across the UK who will be sharing their experiences, magic moments and top tips to running an event.  This week, we meet LOFS host farmer Tanya Robbins from Didcot Farm, chatting about fond memories and some useful tricks, such as ticketing and the LOFS website that have been picked up along the way.  Support t...

The first in our series of LEAF Open Farm Sunday podcasts, where we meet LOFS host farmers from across the UK who will be sharing their experiences, magic moments and top tips to running an event.  This week LOFS manager, Annabel Shackleton discusses  the joys of growing up with LOFS on farm, with long term host farmer Rebecca Dawes from Hilton of Aldie, Kinross, Scotland.  Support the show

Lucy Redmore, LEAF's Assurance Manager discusses how the LEAF Marque Standard is kept robust, relevant and rigorous. Lucy outlines the current LEAF Marque Standard v16.0 draft public consultation – how it works, what it does, the different ways of getting involved and, crucially, the proposed changes. Complete survey here. Register for webinars here.   Support the show

Building community engagement is one of the key elements of more integrated, sustainable farming.   We welcome two of LEAF's corporate members Samantha Balasuriya from Botanicoir and Mark Davies from Agrovista and hear about Botanicoir's work with communities in rural Sri Lanka and India to improve conditions and provide opportunities for local residents.  We also explore with one of the...

LEAF’s 10 year strategic direction (2021−2031) builds on our core capabilities and strengths and delivers against 8 commitments. In this series of podcasts, LEAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond explores each of the commitments and examines how each feed into LEAF’s wider ambitions. Today we learn about 'Building Sustainable Food Chains'. Support the show

LEAF’s 10 year strategic direction (2021−2031) builds on our core capabilities and strengths and delivers against 8 commitments. In this series of podcasts, LEAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond explores each of the commitments and examines how each feed into LEAF’s wider ambitions. Today we learn about 'Measuring Impact & Harmonising Metrics'. Support the show

LEAF’s 10 year strate­gic direc­tion (2021−2031) builds on our core capa­bil­i­ties and strengths and deliv­ers against 8 com­mit­ments. In this series of pod­casts, LEAF Chief Exec­u­tive, Car­o­line Drum­mond explores each of the com­mit­ments and exam­ines how each feeds into LEAF’s wider ambi­tions. Today we learn about ​‘Beacons of Excellence’. Support the show

Jenny Clark, LEAF Assurance Manager, and Jess Corsair, LEAF Technical Coordinator, discuss the latest LEAF Marque Independent Evaluation, reflecting on the positives and the learnings contributing to our continual improvement.  Support the show

LEAF’s 10 year strategic direction (2021-2031) builds on our core capabilities and strengths and delivers against 8 commitments.  In this series of podcasts, LEAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond explores each of the commitments and examines how each feeds into LEAF’s wider ambitions. Today we delve into 'Delivering Climate Positive Solutions'.  Support the show