Farming for Nature

As you may have read across our careers site, the ultimate purpose of the Partnership is to work together for a happier world. We’re passionate about making a positive impact on the world around us. We champion the happiness of our communities, build trusted relationships based on integrity and doing what’s right, and of course, taking responsibility for our environmental impact.

Just one way in which we’re bringing our purpose to life is through the work we’re leading the way on for regenerative farming practices.

Farming for Nature Initiative

Last year, we launched our Farming for Nature programme, supporting over 2,000 British farmers to adopt more nature-friendly practices. It’s part of our wider commitment to reach net zero across all UK farms by 2035.

This work is about more than climate targets. It’s about making sure our farms have the resilience, and the financial and logistical support, to thrive in the years ahead. This is because if we continue to farm in conventional ways, we may only have 40-50 harvests left in the soils we use across the world! It’s this stark warning that drives our passion for regenerative farming. Because the truth is, the future of food depends on the health of our soils.

For our customers, programmes like this also means peace of mind that every basket of shopping contributes to a food system that restores the natural world rather than depleting it.

How Regenerative Farming Works

At its heart, regenerative farming is about keeping soils alive, working with nature’s cycles, and ensuring farming doesn’t just sustain, but improves the land. Some of the ways we do this include:

• • Minimising soil disturbance so the creatures that live in it can thrive.
  • Growing a wide diversity of crops, which encourages insects and creates a more resilient ecosystem.
  • Keeping soil covered and maintaining living roots, protecting its structure and feeding its microbial life.
  • Integrating livestock, whose grazing and natural fertilising play a vital role in biodiversity.

The Leckford Estate

One of the best examples of where our Farming for Nature initiative is taking shape is at our very own Leckford Estate.

The Leckford Estate is a unique asset owned by Waitrose, a 2,800 acre working farm and country estate in Hampshire. Our ambition there is to continue practising regenerative farming techniques that focus on soil regeneration, improving the water cycle as well as increasing carbon capture, biodiversity and resilience to climate change.

Here, we produce our own flour, rapeseed oil and brut where regenerative principles guide every step. We’re also very excited to be launching our own Leckford honey in November this year (2025).

Our Expert Partners

As well as the exceptional people in the core team, we have the support of a number of chosen partners who are experts in their fields.

These partners bring specialist skills to the project, including tools to accelerate success – technological integrations, such as digital mapping provided by Land App, to create Baseline Habitat Assessments and Land Management Plans. These tools assist farmers in monitoring environmental metrics and planning regenerative practices effectively.

Celebrating our Success

We are proud of the recognition we have received that recognises our dedication to excellence, innovation and care in agriculture. These honours reflect the hard work of our team and the impact of our work across the industry.

WINNER FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD & FARMING CIWF AWARD
Awarded in 2024 for our groundbreaking “Farming for Nature” initiative at the Compassion in World Farming Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards.

COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING – BEST RETAILER
Won four consecutive years in a row, we are extremely proud of how we continually improve the care of our animals.

COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING – BEST RETAILER INNOVATION
Awarded in 2022 for developing and implementing the first Qualitative Behavioural Assessment App to measure the emotional wellbeing of animals.

The Hard Work Continues

As you can imagine, the work Farming for Nature has set out to do is no mean feat. It will take dedicated people and work to ensure the future of farming becomes more and more sustainable and can continue to provide the good food we all deserve for generations to come.

You can find out more about Farming for Nature on our Leckford website or find out more about the Partnership purpose here.