The latest agri-food and climate news, resources and opportunities
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August 2025
Round-up
Welcome to our latest round-up of agri-food and climate news, resources and opportunities that couldn’t wait for our monthly newsletter.
News
Events
WEBINAR: De-risking the transition
Friday 12th September 10:00–11:00am
Our Autumn season of webinars kicks off with this important session: Farming businesses face many barriers when trying to change practices, and one of them is risk. How can risk be reduced so they can move forward with confidence? Farmers are under immense pressure and transitioning farming practices can feel daunting and risky in those first few years. For many farmers, this can be enough to stop them taking that leap. How could collective insurance and green financing in its many forms help de-risk and unlock that transition? How can mindset change and coaching also help support the transition? Our speakers will be delving into all this for us.
Net Zero Food Systems Workshop
Wednesday 3rd September 2025, London
As part of an AFN Stakeholder FlexFund project, Emergent Generation are organising a one-day event bringing together young people (18-35 years) from across the food system to tackle the Net Zero challenge head-on. The key speaker is our own Neil Ward, AFN co-lead and Professor of Rural and Regional Development at the University of East Anglia. There are only 25 places available. The event is free, with some limited support available for travel costs etc.
News
Web tool for predicting slurry emissions
We have now published a final report from the scoping study Developing an interactive web app for personalised forecasting of slurry emissions. Weather is one of the primary factors in agriculture. As climate change becomes more pronounced it becomes increasingly difficult for farmers and land managers to predict the weather and make good decisions regarding production and nutrient/carbon loss. The tool developed in this project aims to translate modern weather forecasting models into results that inform farmers’ decision-making. The tool is now available online, and user feedback can be sent to dfletcher@sruc.ac.uk. You can also read the final report, and more about the project, on our website.
Launch of Culture Roots Collective
Culture Roots Collective, a BPOC (Black and People of Colour) hub to celebrate, inform and engage people in UK food, farming and agriculture, is now live. The hub was developed by partners including the AFN Network+, Sustain and Eating Better. Culture Roots Collective is a BPOC-led collective uniting Black and People of Colour working across food, farming, and land stewardship. It aims to reclaim people’s relationships with land and agriculture, restore ancestral knowledge, and cultivate just food systems for communities. For more information please visit their website, where you can add your information to their Directory, submit useful resources or events to share with the community, and get in touch with ideas and suggestions.
News from the wider agri-food sector
Twocan Mentor
Twocan Mentor is a UK-wide mentoring programme designed to foster cross-sector collaboration across food, farming, and horticulture – for everyone, regardless of age, role, or stage of career. Their model is built on mutual learning: both mentors and mentees gain fresh perspectives, confidence, and network strength. They aim to break down the silos separating farmers, researchers, policymakers, NGOs, vets, and supply chain professionals. Their next event is on 6 October, seeking mentors and mentees from across the sector. If you are interested, please contact mentoring@twocanmentor.co.uk.
Events
Agroforestry Show 2025
10–11 September 2025, Maple Cross, Hertfordshire
Workshop: LUNZ Grasslands - Sustainable Farming Practices
Wednesday 10th September 11:00am–4:00pm, Dungannon, Co Tyrone
A workshop for farmers & land managers to explore the transformation of UK grasslands for net-zero solutions
Webinar: V-FAST Policy Workshop
Wednesday 10th September 1:00–2:30pm
As the UK seeks to strengthen its position as a global leader in sustainable agri-tech, this online policy workshop explores how vertical farming can scale up successfully, in tandem with innovative clean energy solutions.
Emergent Generation Summer Gathering
11–14 September 2025, Gloucestershire
Join Emergent Generation for three unforgettable days of connection, creativity & action – exploring how we reconnect farm & fork, town & country. Expect inspiring talks, farm visits, hands-on workshops, shared feasts & fireside conversations – all for 18-35-year-olds who are passionate about nature-friendly farming, food systems and how we can shape a fairer, greener, and more resilient future. (Some supporter tickets are available for over-35s too!)
Webinar: Rethinking Ingredients for Sustainable Food Systems
Thursday 11th September 2025 2:00–3:00pm
As the food industry faces growing pressures to reduce its environmental impact, whilst improving nutritional content, product reformulation and responsible ingredient sourcing have become critical strategies for building more sustainable food systems. This webinar will look at the practical approaches to sustainable sourcing and product reformulation. Speakers include Ali Morpeth, AFN Champion for Policy: Food Systems Nutrition and Health.
Workshop: Animal welfare and environmental sustainability in seafood production
Monday 15th September 2025
A workshop looking at how to jointly improve welfare and sustainability in seafood production. This workshop is being jointly hosted by the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and the Animal Welfare Research Network. Limited places are available to attend in-person at the RVC Camden campus in London for the day. The morning session will also be available to join online in a hybrid format.
Vacancy
Chief Scientific Adviser, Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is looking for someone to take on the role of Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA). The CSA provides independent, expert advice to both the FSA Board and Executive Team, helping to shape the organisation’s strategic direction and ensuring that decisions are grounded in the best available scientific knowledge.
Deadline: 7 September 2025
Next issue
Got something you would like to share with more than 3,000 colleagues across the agri-food sector? Please send it to J.Fredenburgh@uea.ac.uk or jonathan.haslam@york.ac.uk for inclusion in either our round-up or monthly newsletter.
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