While there is growing agreement on what regenerative farming might include, there is less evidence about where in the country these practices are taking place, and what practices are most popular among farmers and researchers. Two Scoping Projects, funded by the AFN Network+, set out to address this gap in different ways. Richard Francksen used a systematic mapping methodology to identify and screen around 33,000 existing articles, narrowing these down to the most relevant studies on the impact of five regenerative practices (cover crops; integrating livestock; minimum or zero tillage; intercropping; under-sowing) on greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural yield. Research ‘heatmaps’ revealed clear gaps in knowledge, with some practices such as intercropping and reduced tillage receiving relatively substantial attention, while others, like livestock integration and undersowing, remaining underexplored. Most studies focus on agricultural yield, with fewer examining greenhouse gas emissions, and those that do tend to focus primarily on nitrous oxide. This leaves significant gaps in understanding other gases and broader environmental impacts, as well as a lack of research around the impact of multiple regenerative practices being used together, despite their common application on farms. 

Samuel Eze combined postcode data with online survey answers to create maps of regenerative practice across the UK, to highlight knowledge gaps and identify where changes in practice and targeted policy interventions might be needed. The online survey lasted for two months and received 230 farmer responses, which were analysed to reveal that over 30 regenerative practices are being implemented on UK farms. In addition to the farmer mapping activity, this project compiled a list of all regenerative practices that are relevant to the UK context and who is advocating them. A list of over 50 practices promoted under eight principles was compiled, along with six stakeholder groups who promote regenerative farming. These included corporate (retail), corporate (suppliers), non-profit organisations and alliances, scientific community, codes and standards, and key voices. To demonstrate who is promoting what practice, the project has produced a visual matrix. 

As regenerative farming continues to gain industry and political attention, these two projects provide evidence of definitions, geographical spread and stakeholder involvement that could provide a robust baseline for future discussions or policy briefs.