Advice about low-input farming practices

Practical guidance to help farmers and growers reduce reliance on artificial inputs, improve soil health and animal welfare, and build resilient farming systems that work with nature.

Build healthier soil

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Soil health

Soil feeds us, stores carbon and supports billions of living organisms. Yet we are losing healthy soil faster than it can form. Find out why soil matters, how to protect it at home and how Soil Association is working to save it.
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Cover crops and green manures

Cover crops and green manures help the soil but are not broadly considered a cash crop, unless they can be grazed prior to establishing the next crop.
Large tilling machine at Stantyway Farm in Devon.
Nature friendly farming

Guidance on min-till and no-till

Practical information on reduced-tillage and no-tillage approaches, including impacts on soil health, weed control and input use.
Large tilling machine at Stantyway Farm in Devon.

Agroforestry and diversifying your cropping

Nature friendly farming

Guidance on herbal leys

Practical information on how to plan, establish and manage herbal leys to improve soil health, support livestock and reduce reliance on artificial inputs.
Nature friendly farming

Guidance on companion cropping and intercropping

Practical information on using crop mixtures and planting combinations to manage pests, improve soil health and make better use of nutrients while reducing inputs.
Sheep gathered round the base of a tree in a grassy field.
Nature friendly farming

Guidance on agroforestry

Explore practical guidance, tools and case studies to help you plan, design and integrate trees into your farming system - improving resilience, productivity and nature outcomes.
Sheep gathered round the base of a tree in a grassy field.

Livestock and whole-farm planning

Nature friendly farming

Guidance on livestock in arable systems

Practical information on integrating livestock into arable rotations to improve soil health, manage nutrients and reduce reliance on external inputs.
Nature friendly farming

Guidance on improving animal welfare

Practical information on what good animal welfare looks like in practice, focusing on animals living healthy, comfortable lives and receiving timely care when they need it.
Man crouching to examine soil.

Guides for whole farm planning

Downloadable guides designed to take you through the practical aspects of getting started with key agroecological, low-input farming methods.
Man crouching to examine soil.

Tools and reference

Approved inputs directory

Search our directory of Soil Association certified approved inputs for organic farms.

Find approved organic abattoirs

Check which UK abattoirs are certified to organic standards. Find approved sites, certification status and relevant details before you make arrangements.
Shop front with Soil Association logo on the window and brightly coloured painted brickwork.

Read Organic Farming magazine

Read practical, farmer-led articles, research and case studies on organic and agroecological farming, produced by the Soil Association.
A meadow on the Balcaskie Estate, scattered with purple flowers.

How to guides

Practical guides and fact sheets to help farmers and growers move to nature-friendly methods.

Farming certification

A certification service for farmers, growers and land managers. It helps farmers meet the standards for organic and other nature-friendly schemes, protecting soils and wildlife, and demonstrating responsible land management.