The AFN Network+ is excited to introduce our six new Champions for 2024. The Champions bring a wealth of expertise spanning the agri-food system, from hands-on farming to wider industry, academia and the public sector. Each Champion will lead one of six research themes, identified by our members during The Big Tent 2023, our annual […]
Achieving net zero in the agri-food system requires understanding the whole system, including production, supply chains, consumption, waste, land use, governance, economics, trade, and more. Over two workshops, a conceptual model diagram has been developed that represents the shared understanding of the structure of the complex UK agrifood system. The conceptual model can be used to […]
The AFN Network+ has launched a consultation on the Research and Policy Priorities for the UK agri-food system. The AFN Network+ was established in 2022 to help inform the work of the UK research councils. This consultation document has been produced after the Network’s first year of activities, and research priorities were explored at an […]
COP28 in Dubai was hailed as historic for many reasons – but what was achieved, if anything, in terms of the food system? We’ve put together this quick-read briefing based on a Chatham House webinar held on 14 December with the Environment and Society team. Not everyone who wanted to go was able to attend, […]
This project, led by Toritseju Begho at SRUC, was one of 16 scoping studies to receive funding from the AFN Network+. Here Toritseju explains how the project will test the willingness of consumers to replace meat with alternative proteins in their diet. We know that we need to make the food system in the […]
This innovative project, led by Daniel McKay Fletcher at SRUC, was one of 16 scoping studies to receive funding from the AFN Network+. Here he explains why his team plans to create a web tool to help farmers forecast the greenhouse gas emissions from their manure. Rearing cattle significantly contributes to global warming due to the emissions […]
The UKRI Agri-food for Net Zero Network+ (AFN Network+) has awarded more than £200,000 to projects which help address the challenge of reaching net zero through agri-food. The projects include a web app to help farmers forecast greenhouse gas emissions from their manure, a scheme to replace soya with faba beans in chicken feed and […]
How might the world look in 2050, and what sort of UK agri-food system might exist as a result? This report describes four possible futures and what policy planning and research will be needed under each, to move the agri-food system towards a net zero UK. The UK Government does not currently have a plan […]
Online, Friday, 27 October 3.30-4.30pm The Black Farmers Market was created as a restorative space in celebration of the cultural and historical communal atmosphere of Brixton. It supports local growers and new businesses, to reach new customers and audiences, and to work with experienced traders and business experts to achieve success. At this online event the […]
Inclusivity lies at the heart of the AFN Network+. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and valued, and we actively pursue diversity within our Community of Practice. During Black History Month, we want to raise awareness of the experience of those of black heritage within the agri-food system. In this blog post, Angelina shares […]
The AFN Network+ is recruiting for its Early Career Researchers (ECR) Board. Appointment is for a one-year period, from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024. The board will consist of ECRs with interests and expertise from across the food system. We strive to compose a board that is balanced across gender, diversity of food system […]
The AFN Network+ is delighted to announce an experimental rolling flexible fund for UK-based stakeholders to implement activities that support our mission to build a community of practice working towards achieving net zero through the agri-food sector by 2050. We build collaborative relationships between key actors in the agri-food system, and support farmer and academic projects including on-farm trials […]
