Peer-to-peer farmer learning about practices to help reach net zero will reach an extended audience through video and podcast thanks to the Grow project, with funding from the AFN Network+. Over 170 farmers attended farm walks over the year across Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, with a much broader reach achieved thanks to the collection and production of audio and video materials. The focus of Grow, a European Institute of Innovation (EIT) Food project, is on sustainable agriculture, including multi-species swards, rotational grazing, agroforestry, low-input production and soil health, covering beef, dairy and arable systems. 

Specific areas of learning have included holistic grazing to improve health and profitability, nutrient management, sustainable pig farming with anaerobic digestion and combining animal welfare with soil health. As project lead Shannon McLaughlin puts it, the most significant outcome has been farmers networking to discuss their own difficulties and successes in regards to sustainable farming practices.

In terms of tangible impacts on the ground, these range from farmers implementing measures to prevent nutrient run off, along with active engagement from Northern Ireland’s department for agriculture and the minister planning to attend a walk. Just under half (43 per cent) of those asked plan to make changes to their farm in the next year as a consequence of what they learned on a farm walk. 29 per cent have already made changes, and a further 29 per cent plan to make changes in the next five years. Practices that improve soil aeration and improving existing natural barriers such as hedgerows, soil health improvements, soil sampling, water infiltration and applications of lime and gypsum were among the changes expected to be made. 

But it’s the multimedia content, including several video and podcasts, that could see this project reach far beyond its initial audience. With videos published on the EIT YouTube channel, the project developed skills including media production to help promote greater adoption of sustainable and regenerative farming practices, alongside social science, behaviour change, economics and sustainable farming.