Farming and forestry

We aim to transform how land is farmed and managed, supporting farmers, growers and foresters to adopt climate and nature-friendly practices that restore soils, protect wildlife and help create a sustainable future for everyone.

Farming issues and threats

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Intensive farm pollution

Agriculture contributes to 40% of river pollution in the UK. Fertilisers, pesticides and antibiotics from intensive farming are contaminating our waterways, soils and air. Find out how intensive farming is causing pollution and what needs to change.
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Pesticides

Pesticides have found their way into our food, soils, rivers and wildlife. Farmers have become trapped in a cycle of reliance on chemicals monopolised by a handful of giant companies. Find out about the problem and the solutions we are calling for.
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Antibiotics

Farm animals consume around 30% of all antibiotics in the UK. Routine preventative use in intensive livestock systems is driving antibiotic resistance, putting animal welfare and human health at risk. Find out what we are doing to tackle it.
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Sign the petition

Stop killing our rivers

Add your name to call on the government to stop agricultural pollution killing our rivers, by tackling excess phosphorus from intensive farming, protecting wildlife, and restoring rivers so they are clean, healthy and full of life again.
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Toxic pesticides in poultry supply chains

The UK farms a billion chickens a year, almost all fed on soya imported from Latin America where toxic pesticides are poisoning wildlife, rivers and farmers. Find out what we are doing to tackle the pesticides in our poultry supply chain.
Chickens on dry muddy ground amongst twiggy shrubs.

Intensive poultry units

The UK farms and eats more chicken than is sustainable, driving deforestation, river pollution and climate damage. We are calling on government to phase out industrial chicken and support farmers to transition to higher welfare systems. Help us make the case.

Farming approaches

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Organic farming

Learn how organic farming works, how it protects soil, wildlife and animal welfare, and how it differs from intensive farming systems.
An uncut field of yellow buttercups and native grass seen from ground level.

Agroecological farming

Agroecology is farming that works with nature rather than against it. It applies ecological principles to design sustainable food and farming systems that restore soils, support biodiversity and tackle climate change. Find out what it means and why it matters.
A forest of uniformly spaced, thin grey trees, on sparse green grass.

Agroforestry

Agroforestry combines trees with crops or livestock to create more productive, nature-friendly farms. Only 3% of UK farmland currently practises agroforestry. Find out how it works, why it matters and how we are supporting farmers to adopt it.
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Agritech

New agricultural technologies could support the transition to agroecological farming, but only if they are designed to fit the food system rather than the other way round. Find out which technologies we think can help, and what risks we need to watch out for.

Farming support and programmes

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.
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Support for farmers and growers

Soil Association works with all farmers and growers interested in agroecological farming. From on-farm research and farm walks to market information and business support, find out how we can help you farm with nature.
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Land Trust

The Soil Association Land Trust safeguards productive land donated by retiring farmers and landowners, ensuring it continues to be farmed organically and agroecologically for future generations. Find out how it works and how to get involved.
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Innovative Farmers

A network of farmers and growers running on-farm trials on their own terms. Join field labs, share what works and access the latest farmer-led research to help you make practical changes on your farm.
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Soil Association Exchange

Exchange supports farmers to adopt practices that make them more resilient and profitable, through robust data, tailored advice and new funding opportunities.
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Farmer and grower projects and programmes

See the projects and programmes we run with farmers, growers and researchers to support nature-friendly farming across the UK and Europe.
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Our policy priorities for farming

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Government priorities

We are calling on government to commit to a ten-year rescue package for food, farming and forestry that tackles the connected crises of climate, nature and health. Find out what we are asking for and how you can support our work.
Field of wheat against a cloudy sky.
Three piglets stand in an unmowed field with pink and white wildflowers.
Three piglets stand in an unmowed field with pink and white wildflowers.

Manifesto for food and farming

Our manifesto sets out five priority areas for government action, from backing sustainable British farming and protecting nature, to ending reliance on fossil fuel-based chemicals and ensuring fair food prices. Read our asks and add your voice.
Three hereford cows looking intensely into camera.

Our Wales manifesto

Our 2026 manifesto setting out priorities for food, farming and forestry in Wales.
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Our Scotland Manifesto

Our 2026 manifesto setting out priorities for food, farming and forestry in Scotland.

Forestry

Forestry certification

Soil Association Certification supports responsible forest management and sustainable supply chains through FSC® and PEFC certification worldwide. We have decades of experience carrying out assessments of forests, woodlands and timber businesses, as well as training and knowledge building.
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Protecting and celebrating trees

Trees and forests are at the heart of our work. We certify over 26 million hectares of sustainable forest across 35 countries, champion agroforestry on farms and campaign for stronger protections. Find out how we are working to protect and celebrate trees.
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Regenerative forestry

Forests cover 13% of the UK and are essential for climate, nature and communities. Regenerative forestry means managing and expanding our forests to store carbon, support biodiversity and provide sustainable timber. Find out what it means and what we are calling for.
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How you can help protect forests

From buying organic and looking for certified wood products to supporting local tree planting, there are seven practical ways you can help protect forests and the wildlife that depends on them. Find out what you can do.
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10 facts about trees

Trees keep soils healthy, support mental wellbeing, communicate with each other and play a vital role in tackling climate change. Discover ten fascinating facts about trees and find out why the UK needs more of them.
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Why hedgerows matter

Hedgerows support 130 priority wildlife species, protect soils from erosion, store carbon and play a vital role in healthy farming landscapes. Yet industrial farming has destroyed half of the UK's hedgerows over the past century. Find out why they matter and how to help.
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Our areas of work

Farming and forestry is one of 4 areas where Soil Association focuses its efforts. Explore the others.

Championing organic

We champion organic farming and food as one of the most powerful ways to restore nature, improve health and build a more sustainable food system - working with businesses, farmers and communities to make it more accessible for everyone. Find out how we are championing organic.

Nature and climate

We work to restore the connections between people, nature and a healthy climate - bringing together farmers, communities and businesses to reverse environmental damage and build a future where nature and people can thrive together. Find out how we are tackling the nature and climate crisis.

Food

Everyone should have the right to good, healthy and affordable food, grown and produced in a nature-friendly way. We work with caterers, schools, businesses and communities to implement lasting change to fix food for all, from farm to fork. Find out how we are transforming the food system.