RegenFarmCo: Designing Regenerative Environments

DeliveryRank chats with Dr. Vincent Walsh, Managing Director of RegenFarmCo (CIC), who leads a team dedicated to scaling regenerative agriculture across the UK. With expertise spanning procurement, foodservice, and farming, RegenFarmCo designs innovative projects that integrate regenerative food production methods, fostering novel supply chain partnerships with farmers, foresters, and landowners. Focused on creating sustainable and adaptable landscapes, their work emphasises agroforestry, forest gardening, and mixed farming systems to enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and drive hyper-localised, nutrient-dense food production.

How does RegenFarmCo approach the integration of human and natural systems to create transformative regenerative environments, and what challenges are commonly encountered in this process?

Our focus is on developing regenerative landscapes and complex ecosystems that almost always include a food component. My background lies in designing ecosystems, and my journey has been shaped by exploring various design methodologies. Over time, I have gravitated toward understanding and working with ecological systems. When we talk about regenerative systems, we are essentially referring to systems that mimic the processes of the biosphere.

If we trace back to the origins of the biosphere, we see a fascinating timeline. About 4.5 billion years ago, hydrological systems—water—began to take shape. Around 3.5 billion years later, photosynthesis emerged. Some 1.5 billion years after that, fungi appeared, and it wasn’t until roughly 450 million years ago that soil was formed. These processes laid the foundation for the ecosystems we know today.

In my work, I draw inspiration from these natural systems and principles. The biosphere has created incredibly complex ecosystems—woodlands, mangroves, forests and more, long before humanity existed. These ecosystems are some of the most adaptive and ecologically rich systems on Earth, demonstrating regenerative and circular processes that have sustained life for billions of years. I aim to replicate these principles in the systems I design, striving to create landscapes that are truly regenerative and sustainable.

Food plays a central role in much of my work because of its significance to the stakeholders I collaborate with which are food companies, farmers and developers. The inclusion of food elements is particularly relevant to supply chain opportunities and the practical integration of human and natural systems. Beyond this, food serves as the social fabric of our communities, connecting people and the land that produces it. By focusing on landscapes that integrate food production, I aim to foster deeper connections between social and ecological systems, creating environments where both humanity and nature can thrive.

Can you elaborate on the role of BioHubs in your initiatives and how they contribute to advancing regenerative agricultural practices?

The first BioHub in the UK was established through a collaborative effort involving a large global food company and Yorkshire Water. The food company, with an annual turnover of half a billion pounds in the UK, provides food for 80 venues, including prestigious locations like Wimbledon, major football clubs and the SEC Centre in Scotland. Their services range from VIP catering to street food. This company was interested in rethinking its supply chain to meet net-zero targets, address Scope 3 emissions and foster better collaboration with farmers and growers. At the same time, Yorkshire Water, one of the largest landowners in the UK and the largest in Yorkshire, was focused on improving hydrology and water management across its catchment areas to reduce runoff, clean water and lower flood risks.

The BioHub project was initiated on a challenging 92-acre upland landscape in Yorkshire, with elevations ranging from 250 meters above sea level at its highest point to 175 meters at its lowest. This area, historically dominated by sheep farming, had been poorly managed for nearly a century, leading to significant ecological degradation. The farmer who owned the land, an 82-year-old lifelong resident of the area, was already transitioning towards sustainable practices, having stopped using phosphates, nitrates, pesticide and herbicides. His willingness to improve the landscape made him an ideal partner for this ambitious project.

The project aimed to transform the landscape into a productive, ecologically rich environment. The first step was to address hydrology by creating water features such as ponds, berms, dams, and swales to hold, sequence and spread water more effectively. Approximately 35 out of the planned 60 water features have already been implemented. These features ensure water retention on the landscape, which was previously unable to hold water during dry periods.

To enhance biodiversity and productivity, an agroforestry system was introduced. This approach mimicked forest ecosystems by incorporating seven layers, including canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs and ground cover. The layers were designed to be both ecologically beneficial and productive, with crops such as apples, pears, damsons, and mints now growing on the site. Additionally, 8,000 trees were planted in a coppiced woodland system at the lower part of the landscape to hold water, provide biomass, and increase biodiversity. A 1.5-hectare wildflower meadow was also established, and the success of this pilot area will guide its expansion to 7 hectares.

A critical component of the BioHub is its circular economy approach. Inspired by the Earth’s natural regenerative systems, the project ensures that everything brought onto the farm stays on-site. For example, biomass from the coppiced woodland, grass cuttings, hay bales and imported materials like horse manure are processed into high-value vermicompost using earthworms. This compost, valued at £120 per metric tonne, nourishes the agroforestry and other systems on the farm. By maintaining a closed-loop system, the project minimises waste and maximises ecological and economic sustainability.

Overall, the UK’s first BioHub is a pioneering model for transitioning landscapes, balancing hydrological restoration, food production and ecological regeneration. It demonstrates how collaboration between food companies, water utilities, and local farmers can create sustainable solutions to modern environmental challenges while fostering a thriving and resilient landscape.

What innovative collaborations has RegenFarmCo engaged in to promote sustainable farming methods, and what impact have these had on local ecosystems?

Collaboration is crucial, and I believe this is a relatively new area of partnership, particularly involving growers, farmers, food companies, water companies, and others around the concept of natural capital. In the UK, this also extends to developers, whether commercial or domestic property developers, because they now need to comply with laws around biodiversity net gain. Essentially, when a developer builds on a specific landscape, they are legally required to achieve a net gain in biodiversity. If they don’t own land themselves to offset these impacts, they need to collaborate with those who do, such as farmers and landscape owners. This has opened up exciting new opportunities in the UK, where developers are increasingly seeking partnerships with landscapes and farms. If done properly, this could create a significant financial uplift for farmers and landowners.

For food companies, their focus tends to be on carbon reduction and supporting nature-based solutions. To achieve this, they must collaborate with those managing landscapes and farms. This creates an opportunity to rethink how landscapes are utilised. By developing complex ecosystems with multiple functions, it becomes possible to create rich biodiversity while increasing the economic and ecological functionality of the land. At RegenFarmCo, our approach is to stack biological functionality, which in turn stacks better economics. This layered functionality allows for more diverse collaborations with a variety of stakeholders.

What we are trying to achieve is the creation of multifunctional landscapes that enable partnerships with different actors. If a landscape is developed with a singular purpose, it becomes challenging to create such collaborations. However, with a complex ecosystem that provides multiple benefits, opportunities for partnerships increase significantly. This approach also aligns with the broader goals of food companies, water utilities, and developers, who are looking to invest in sustainable solutions.

At RegenFarmCo, we’re still in the early stages of figuring out how to work effectively with different companies in diverse ways. Currently, we freelance with some companies, supporting their farmers, while also developing our own landscapes with collaborative partners. Additionally, we’re working on designing ecosystems for other companies. Although we’re still learning and refining this approach, it’s clear that there are benefits for everyone involved. By adopting a multiple-landscape approach and fostering collaborations with food companies, water utilities, and developers, we’re creating new opportunities that benefit the environment, the economy, and the stakeholders we engage with.

How do you measure the success of regenerative farming projects, and what metrics are most important in assessing ecological and social outcomes?

In the UK context, if you want to truly understand the benefits of a landscape, establishing a solid baseline at the start is essential. In the case of our BioHub, we took an approach that went above and beyond standard practices. We had the capital and resources to do so, which allowed us to conduct a thorough baselining process. For large food companies, which are increasingly under scrutiny for their role in sustainable farming, net-zero goals, and sustainable landscapes, ensuring projects are properly baselined is crucial.

When we began three years ago, the first step in managing our landscape was observation. During the first year, our focus was on understanding the land rather than taking immediate actions. This involved spending time on the landscape at different times of day and during various seasons. Early mornings and late evenings were particularly insightful for understanding water flow, frost patterns, livestock movements and vegetation dynamics. Observing the natural rhythms and behaviors of the land provided invaluable context for how it functions.

After this initial observation phase, we moved on to formal baselining. This included extensive landscape appraisals, vegetation surveys, bird surveys, carbon measurements, soil health assessments and water analysis. We invested approximately £50,000 into this process to gain a comprehensive understanding of the landscape as it was when we took it over. Importantly, all this work was carried out independently by expert organisations to ensure objectivity and credibility.

This detailed baselining informed the design and planning of the landscape. By combining the observations with data from the surveys, we could account for weather dynamics, hydrology, and biodiversity. For example, insights from carbon and biodiversity surveys helped us understand what adjustments were needed to enhance the ecosystem and guided us in measuring the transition over time.

In the UK, there is a notable lack of technical expertise in day-to-day baselining practices. While long-term monitoring is useful, such as conducting baseline work one year and reassessing five years later, landscapes are dynamic and constantly evolving. Seasonal changes, water retention, and adaptive systems require more sophisticated tools and continuous monitoring. This is particularly challenging in complex ecosystems with diverse elements like livestock and mixed farming practices.

To address this, we see potential in leveraging satellite data and advanced technology for more adaptive and frequent assessments. Organisations like Soil Exchange, a spinout of the Soil Association, are already helping farmers with baseline studies. However, many of these focus on single farming practices, which makes it easier to establish baselines but limits their application in more complex, multifunctional ecosystems.

Ultimately, developing better methods for baselining complex systems will be critical. Using tools like satellite imaging and dynamic monitoring can provide a more accurate and ongoing picture of the landscape. This approach will help us design and manage ecosystems that are both ecologically rich and economically viable. For now, we are continuing to refine our methods and explore innovative solutions to this challenge.

What advice would you offer to farmers or organisations looking to transition to regenerative practices, particularly regarding the synthesis of exploratory research and practical application?

Diversity is the cornerstone of any resilient and sustainable ecosystem. If we look at ecological principles, the two critical factors that enable adaptive and sustainable systems are diversity and density. A system rich in diverse species and dense in interactions creates a self-reinforcing web of resilience and productivity. This principle is something that traditional farming systems often lack.

Take forests as an example: their richness stems from their dense and diverse undergrowth, canopy layers and the interconnectedness of all living organisms within the system. In contrast, traditional farming systems are often monocultures, which are inherently fragile. These systems lack the diversity and density that make natural ecosystems adaptive to challenges like pests, flooding, and climate change.

In the UK, flooding in agricultural areas is a prime example of the consequences of reducing landscape adaptability. Removing trees, stripping away natural water-absorbing features, and focusing solely on a single crop or livestock leaves the land unable to cope with environmental pressures. If a system isn’t designed with resilience in mind, the results, like water runoff and soil erosion, are inevitable.

Farmers, therefore, need to start seeing their land as part of a broader ecosystem rather than as isolated "farms." By doing so, they can create landscapes that are more adaptive and productive in multiple ways. This could involve agroforestry, reintroducing biodiversity through polycultures, and integrating livestock in a way that mimics natural grazing patterns.

Research and Collaboration
The need for robust research is undeniable. Collaborations with independent organisations, like the work being done with Rothamsted Research (Rothamsted is a leading agricultural research institution in the UK), can help farmers adopt evidence-based practices that enhance biodiversity while maintaining food production. Satellite technologies also hold great promise for monitoring land use, measuring ecosystem health and identifying areas for intervention in real-time.

At the early stages of collaboration, as you mentioned with Ferris for Science in the UK, it's crucial to focus on diagnostics and actionable insights. Satellite data can complement this effort, offering a bird's-eye view of the landscape and helping to understand patterns of flooding, biodiversity, and productivity.

The Path Forward
To create adaptive landscapes:

1. Increase Biodiversity: Integrate more species—both plants and animals—into farming systems. Polycultures, agroforestry, and rotational grazing are ways to do this.

2. Focus on Density: Develop systems where multiple functions coexist, such as carbon sequestration, water retention, and food production, in the same space.

3. Foster Collaboration: Engage with research institutions, technology providers, and policymakers to design landscapes that serve both ecological and economic purposes.

4. Reframe the Narrative: Help farmers view their land not as a "farm" but as an ecosystem capable of producing multiple benefits beyond just food.

The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. By leaning into research, innovation, and collaboration, we can transform landscapes into systems that not only produce food but also sequester carbon, support biodiversity, and mitigate flooding—all while creating economic opportunities for farmers.

If you would like to find out more about RegenFarmCo, please visit https://www.regenfarmco.com/

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