Henry Russell
Henry Russell considers whether bringing back traditional farming techniques could transform the local food system.
Agroecology is a farming approach that avoids costly inputs like synthetic feed, fertiliser, and pesticides, instead integrating grass-fed livestock for natural soil fertilisation.
It promotes a ‘land-sharing’ model where food production and nature restoration occur on the same land.
In 2021, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) published Farming for Change, a UK-wide study that confirmed agroecology could feed the UK—if accompanied by dietary changes: a 63% increase in fruit and veg intake, a 25% reduction in red meat, and a 50% drop in white meat.
These shifts would benefit public health and reduce carbon emissions by 38%, boost woodland creation sevenfold, and double hedgerows, aiding nature recovery.
This landmark study challenged the belief that agroecology couldn’t feed the population and sparked new policy conversations and local adaptation efforts.
One such effort was led by FoodFutures, aiming to localise the national model to drive meaningful community discussions on the future of farming.
Between December 2024 and March 2025, I led a project funded by the Agri-food for Net Zero Network+ to explore local adaptation of the model.
Despite early setbacks—most notably, the unavailability of the original French modellers—I engaged with FFCC, Small World Consulting, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and FoodFutures to gather insights and open-source data.
A key recommendation was to host a non-technical online workshop with stakeholders across the food system.
We brought together 22 participants—farmers, growers, local authorities, conservation bodies, and others—who expressed strong support for a locally focused model.
They believed such models engage communities more effectively than national ones and can galvanise support for agroecological farming geared toward local markets.
Participants emphasised the need for accessible outputs, including data maps and case studies, to enhance storytelling.
However, it was noted that farmers are unlikely to engage directly with models or reports; thus, messaging must be clear and delivered through trusted organisations like Pasture for Life and the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
We are now seeking funding and a researcher to build the local model using these insights.
If you can help, please get in touch—we believe this work can support a thriving, fair, and resilient local food system.
To read the Local Level Agrocology Mapping Report in full, click HERE.
