OFC 2023 Fringe event: To farm a new future, we cannot do what we’ve always done
Farmers were told you ‘can’t farm green if your finances are in the red’ at an Oxford Farming Conference Fringe event where the financial, environmental, and social pillars of sustainability were discussed.
Craig Livingstone, Head of Farming and Rural Business at Lockerley Estate & Preston farms in Hampshire, made the comment during the Trinity AgTech Fringe event, ‘Keys to Securing Business Resilience in an Uncertain Era’, on 8 December 2022.
Mr Livingstone said the use of Trinity’s natural capital navigator, Sandy, had opened up commercial opportunities for the Hampshire estate – something he believes is essential for making ‘green farming’ viable and highlighting opportunities to stack incomes.
“There are major positive environmental and financial benefits for farm businesses from natural capital, which is needed as you can’t farm green in the red; it must pay,” added Mr Livingstone.
“There are major positive environmental and financial benefits for farm businesses from natural capital, which is needed as you can’t farm green in the red; it must pay.”
Craig Livingstone
Head of Farming, Lockerley Estate and Preston Farms
Trinity AgTech’s Director of Business Development, Anna Woodley, said there are three pillars of sustainability – financial, environmental and social – and all are key to ensuring farm business resilience for the future.
She said, “Farm businesses need to stay viable, especially during the uncertain times we’re facing at the moment; but in order to be resilient, we need to be sustainable and that applies on all levels.”
She added, “The environmental pillar of business sustainability is all about preserving the planet and can actually provide some huge commercial opportunities on-farm, which is why taking control of the full scope of your farm’s natural capital shouldn’t be overlooked.”
“Farm businesses need to stay viable, especially during the uncertain times we’re facing at the moment; but in order to be resilient, we need to be sustainable and that applies on all levels”
Anna Woodley
Director of Business Development
Meanwhile, Nick Holmes from accountancy firm Chavereys encouraged farmers to plan ahead for at least the next five years and said, “Resilience is not just about survival but instead, the ability to deliver on strategic plans and take advantage of any opportunities which arise.”
He said that budgeting, scenario planning and understanding financial commitments were all key to achieving financial sustainability in a farm business.
“Build a social environment that supports you to react, respond and change; look outside your original circle to learn and challenge the norms of where we tend to conform.”
Dr Emily Pope
Trinity Global Farm Pioneers
Lastly, Dr Emily Pope from Trinity Global Farm Pioneers encouraged farmers to look beyond their own normal circle of influence and farmgate to improve their social sustainability. Social sustainability relies on the ability to have the right mindset, be able to adopt new practices and adapt to change.
She said, “Build a social environment that supports you to react, respond and change; look outside your original circle to learn and challenge the norms of where we tend to conform.”
Trinity AgTech are headline sponsors at the Oxford Farming Conference between 4 – 6 January 2023, where we are launching a new report ‘Ensuring Farm Business Resilience in a VUCA World’ and holding a networking session focusing on, ‘Mindset: Agriculture’s next revolution’. OFC delegates can register to attend for free.