BBC's Springwatch and Look North Programs
Revitalizing Meadows and Sustainable Farming: The Pasture for Life Movement
In the heart of Lincolnshire, a farming revolution is underway. Darren and his family, along with Jonty Brunyee and his wife Mel, are championing a new approach to agriculture – Pasture for Life farming. This system, focused on raising animals solely on pasture throughout their lives, emphasizes high animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and producing nutrient-dense food from regeneratively managed grazing land.
Since the 1940s, the UK has lost 98-99% of its wildflower meadows. However, Field Farm, located near Lincoln, is working tirelessly to reverse this trend. The family is dedicated to recreating wildflower meadows on three-quarters of their farm, nurturing a diverse range of insects, invertebrates, and mammals. Their meadows now contain 100 different species in the grassland, earning them the nickname "Conygree salad bar."
The farm's Lincoln Red cattle graze on this lush pasture, their diet consisting of natural plants. This grass-based diet gives their meat a flavoursome, healthy character with low omega 6 content. The cattle are Pasture for Life certified, ensuring the meat's origin and diet.
Field Farm is not just a producer of excellent Pasture for Life meat; it is also a pioneer in transparency. The farm offers complete supply chain traceability, connecting consumers with the story behind their meat's origin. This commitment to transparency is a testament to the growing number of consumers who value British, well-looked-after, and healthily-fed products.
Jonty Brunyee, apart from being a Pasture for Life farmer, is also a lecturer at a local university, sharing his knowledge and passion for sustainable farming with future generations. His wife Mel, too, is deeply involved in the farm's operations, ensuring that their commitment to animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and community engagement remains unwavering.
Pasture for Life farms support local communities and social aspects of villages and towns. By maintaining a diverse range of flora and fauna, they contribute to the local ecosystem's health and biodiversity. This approach aligns closely with principles of regenerative agriculture, such as rotational grazing, diverse multi-species pasture planting, and no chemical spraying.
As the demand for British, local, healthy, and good animal welfare products continues to grow, Pasture for Life farms like Field Farm are well-positioned to meet this need. By scaling up their practices while maintaining the principles of Pasture for Life farming, they can ensure a sustainable future for both their farm and the environment.
[1] Pasture for Life: https://www.pastureforlife.org/ [2] American Grassfed Association: https://www.americangrassfed.org/ [3] Soil Association: https://www.soilassociation.org/
