The Northern Lincolnshire Environmental Farmers Group (EFG), a cooperative for eco-conscious farmers, has secured crucial funding support.
- Wilkin Chapman, the largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, joins agricultural machinery supplier Peacock & Binnington as a key sponsor.
- The Group aims to enhance biodiversity, water quality, and achieve net carbon farming by 2040 through natural capital trading.
- Since 2020, EFGs have expanded across the UK, with the network now comprising 433 farmers and a £10 million trading pipeline.
- Northern Lincolnshire EFG seeks additional members to further its objectives and foster environmental sustainability.
The Northern Lincolnshire Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) has garnered significant attention with its recent securing of vital funding aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices. This milestone was achieved with the support of Wilkin Chapman, the largest law firm within Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, who has joined forces with the agricultural machinery supplier, Peacock & Binnington, to sponsor this initiative.
The primary focus of this cooperative is to drive positive environmental change by leveraging natural capital trading. Not only is this aimed at increasing biodiversity and improving water quality in the region, but it also seeks to achieve net carbon farming by the year 2040. Such efforts represent a forward-thinking approach to modern agriculture, demonstrating a committed response to environmental challenges.
Since its conception in 2020, the Environmental Farmers Group network has expanded impressively across the UK. Comprising 433 farmers, these groups collectively cover approximately 3% of the farmed area in England. The trading pipeline established by this network is valued at a striking £10 million, underlining the significant economic potential of sustainable farming.
A particular highlight of the Northern Lincolnshire group is its strategic focus on regions surrounding key areas like Grimsby, Scunthorpe, and Immingham. This focus not only promises to bolster local ecological efforts but also seeks to unite farmers under a common goal of sustainability and economic viability.
Local farmers, such as Andrew Jackson from Pink Pig Farm and William Sowerby from Farming Forward, have been instrumental in establishing this group. They are presently appealing for more members to join their ranks, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of shared environmental stewardship.
Catherine Harris, who leads the agriculture sector at Wilkin Chapman, highlighted the influence that collective farmer action holds. She remarked, “When farmers work together, they can have a great deal of power.” Her words resonate with the cooperative’s aspirations to act as a powerful voice for farmers who are both sustainability-focused and financially savvy.
William Sowerby mentioned that Northern Lincolnshire was the first area outside the South of England to adopt this EFG model, signalling early demand for sustainable farming practices in the region. The area, with its proximity to the industrial Humber bank, offers unique opportunities for projects related to clean water, biodiversity, and carbon mitigation.
EFGs serve a vital role as trusted advisors in the natural capital sector, guiding farmers and landowners. They enable access to trading opportunities, offering invaluable advice on navigating and optimising the benefits of the natural capital markets.
The Northern Lincolnshire EFG exemplifies a collaborative model driving towards sustainable farming and environmental stewardship.
