Wildflowers on farmland © James Adler
Vitacress Farm Excellence
With more than 70% of the UK's land in their care, the farming community have an enormous impact on the natural world. Farmers have a unique relationship with nature - many are hugely knowledgeable about the environment and passionate about its protection. But with limited resources and competing priorities, it isn't always easy to make farmland a space where wildlife can thrive.
One of the ways we're addressing this issue is through our involvement in the Vitacress Farm Excellence programme. This sees us partner with Vitacress and LEAF to increase the sustainability of Vitacress' farming techniques across leaf crop, protected growing, and aquaculture. The programme aims to demonstrate best practice and set an ambitious new standard for the industry.
How does it work?
Vitacress have a longstanding commitment to reducing their impact on the environment. This new programme will enable them to build on their current efforts while also attaining LEAF Marque certification. Their local farms will follow site-specific conservation plans to achieve the LEAF Marque standard of sustainability, with support and guidance from the partners.
The Trust has been conducting ecological surveys and working with the farm managers to develop tailored 10-year biodiversity management plans. Progress will be measured through ongoing ecological monitoring by Vitacress staff, local groups, and our in-house consultancy, Arcadian Ecology. The results, and our recommendations, will be used by LEAF to ensure continual improvement.
LEAF will also use their experience in upskilling farmers to build a strong legacy for the work undertaken on each farm. By combining these different areas of expertise, we hope to present a model for how farming can protect the natural resources upon which we all rely.
"We’ve shared a journey with Vitacress for nearly 15 years. Through a number of initiatives, they have invested considerably in both research and conservation programmes. Vitacress Farm Excellence is the next step on their journey, raising the bar for others while providing the opportunity for their business to contribute to the recovery of wildlife in the broader landscape."Director of Projects and Services at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Biodiversity sampling in a chalk stream © Vitacress
About Vitacress
Vitacress is one of Europe’s leading growers and packers of watercress, leafy salads, fresh herbs, and vegetables. Sustainability is a core value of the company, which has committed to protecting natural resources and actively improving the environment in which it operates. This is evidenced by many years of substantial investment in conservation and sustainable farming methods.
Vitacress also established the Vitacress Conservation Trust to further care for the chalk stream habitats within their growing sites. This charity has worked closely with the Trust on several wildlife conservation initiatives, such as protecting the native white-clawed crayfish in our local chalk streams.
© Andrew Parkinson 2020VISION
About LEAF
LEAF is a leading organisation dedicated to delivering more sustainable food and farming. One of its key initiatives is the LEAF Marque, a global certification which recognises sustainability in farmed foods. The system is based on the Integrated Farm Management approach, which combines technological innovation with traditional methods to facilitate sustainable farming.
In order to receive LEAF Marque certification, businesses must meet rigorous standards which are independently verified. While each farm follows a site-specific plan with its own targets, the initiative's broader goals are to build resilient businesses, develop climate resilience, improve nature and biodiversity, drive supply chain innovation, and engage consumers in positive change.
Our work so far
The programme is still in its early stages, but is off to a strong start. The image gallery below shows some of the latest steps Vitacress have taken to make their farms more welcoming spaces for nature.
Vitacress Farm Excellence partners launch the programme. Left to right: Lucy Redmore (Technical Coordinator, LEAF), Deborah Whitfield (Consultancy Manager, HIWWT), Leah Mathias-Collins (Environment Manager, Vitacress) and Ben Rushbrook (Senior Ecologist, HIWWT) © HIWWT
Wildflowers at Vitacress' Mullens site © Vitacress
Water vole ditch at Vitacress' Runcton site © L Rowland
Borage field edge strip at Vitacress' Mullens site © H Smith
On the wild side
Our first ecological surveys revealed that a range of wildlife is already present at the participating farms. Here are some of the species we've found - we're excited to see how the biodiversity of each site increases as the programme moves forward.
Common pipistrelle bat © Tom Marshall
Bats
Several local bats, including the brown long-eared and the common pipistrelle, roost in barns and other farm buildings.
Grey wagtail © Tom Marshall
Grey wagtails
These distinctive birds are often found on farmland with running fresh water, especially during their breeding season.
Kingfisher by Darin Smith
Kingfishers
These iconic birds live near waterways, waiting patiently then diving in to catch fish, shrimp, tadpoles, and aquatic insects.