Who we are

The Soil Association was founded in 1946 by a group of farmers, scientists and nutritionists who observed a direct connection between farming practice and plant, animal, human and environmental health.

Today the Soil Association is the UK's leading organic organisation, with over 200 staff based in Bristol and Edinburgh and working as certification inspectors across the country. The Soil Association's director is Patrick Holden, who reports to the Council of Trustees.

You might expect something so vital to be organised and supported by the government. But in fact the Soil Association is a charity, reliant on donations and on the support of its members and the public to carry out its work.

Charitable status

The Soil Association is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Our charity number is 206862. Soil Association Certification Ltd is a subsidiary of the charity which undertakes certification. As a subsidiary company, any surplus income is passed on to the Soil Association charity to raise awareness, and develop and safeguard the entire organic sector.