Nestlé UK and Ireland have unveiled an innovative partnership with The Allerton Project, a renowned research farm in Leicestershire, celebrated for its pioneering approach to shaping future rural landscapes.
Over three decades, The Allerton Project has led the way in research focused on sustainable farming methods, biodiversity, and habitat creation. The collaboration with Nestlé allows farmers and Nestlé suppliers to receive practical, context-based land management advice, fostering positive environmental outcomes on their lands.
The Allerton Project will provide immersive, field-based training combined with classroom content, recognising Nestlé's reliance on agriculture and the imperative to comprehend the challenges and opportunities within the sector. This training extends to managers and executive-level staff, aiming to embed perspectives on supply chain resilience within Nestlé's working culture.
The collaboration extends to farm visits and technical workshops for farmers engaged in Nestlé's agricultural initiatives, including the Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs). LENs, a trading network, combines diverse land-dependent businesses with farmers to address landscape resilience and performance issues collectively. Nestlé emphasised the importance of diverse farming networks learning from each other and introducing practical, regenerative farming practices to build and restore landscapes.
The Allerton Project's distinctive research approach has significantly contributed to policymaking, hosting senior policymakers to discuss research outcomes. Their research team collaborates with other organisations and actively co-supervises numerous PhD and MSc projects.
Matt Ryan, Regeneration Lead at Nestlé UK and Ireland, highlighted the partnership's significance in advancing regenerative ambitions and building resilience into farming practices. He emphasised the local and context-based actions required for the success of regenerative agriculture. He commended the partnership for providing a platform for training, knowledge exchange, and understanding practical realities within the supply chain.
Alice Midmer, Assistant Manager at The GWCT Allerton Project, shared her enthusiasm about collaborating with Nestlé to realise regenerative farming ambitions. She applauded Nestlé's commitment and highlighted the opportunity to utilise three decades of experience in sustainable farming and land management to drive positive change for food and the environment. The partnership serves as a working example of collaboration for transformative impact.
