This implies the farm has been recognised for its dedication to develop produce – on this case grapes and apples and pears – in a manner that’s extra pleasant in the direction of nature.
It’s a vital step in the direction of having a everlasting Centre of Excellence at our Leckford farm – a objective of the Partnership – offering sensible instruments, workshops, on-line sources and mentoring to assist farmers to make the shift to regenerative agriculture.
We introduced in 2021 that we’ll use our farm, on the Leckford Property in Hampshire, to drive change by experimenting with a wide range of nature-friendly farming practices.
Andrew Hoad, Head of the Leckford Property, stated: “We’re extremely proud to be the primary winery and orchard within the UK to attain Regenified’s certification.
“Our dedication to regenerative farming displays our perception that producing high-quality merchandise and caring for the surroundings go hand in hand. This builds on our regenerative farming journey and we hope to see extra farmers embrace related practices which might result in certification.”
To attain certification, Leckford met Regenified’s rigorous 6-3-4™ Verification Commonplace – based mostly on six ideas, three guidelines, and 4 processes. Regenified’s certification course of may even assist the Leckford Property observe its progress in advancing regenerative ideas.
Salar Shemirani, co-founder and CEO, Regenified stated: “We’re delighted that the Waitrose Leckford vineyards and orchards have achieved Regenified Certification – a UK first for the winery and a pan-European first for apple and pear orchards.
“The widespread adoption of true regenerative agriculture is significant for the way forward for all of us, and I congratulate Waitrose on their courageous adoption of a greater manner of farming for nature. I’m very excited for Regenified to be part of the continued Waitrose regenerative journey.”
By adopting nature-friendly strategies – similar to the usage of florally various species within the alleys between the rows of apple bushes and vines and the alternative of herbicides with the usage of mechanical weed trimmers – the winery and orchard purpose to not solely produce distinctive merchandise but in addition contribute to the general well being of the surroundings by growing plant range and minimising soil disturbance. Merchandise utilizing fruit from this harvest onwards, such because the Leckford Property Brut, can have the Licensed Regenified seal, highlighting the achievement to prospects.
This is available in response to an business vast want to maneuver to extra resilient farming strategies and demand from Waitrose prospects: 4 in ten* are apprehensive in regards to the influence that fashionable farming has on nature and wildlife.
Leckford’s winery produces the farm’s very personal glowing wine – a comfortable mix containing principally Chardonnay grapes, in addition to Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Leckford Property Brut might be bought on-line at Waitrose.com in addition to within the farm store on the Leckford Property. Likewise the orchard produces the farm’s scrumptious premium apple juice in addition to a neighborhood cider.
As the one UK grocery store owned farm producing contemporary native produce, the Leckford Property has been farming regeneratively since 2020, and commits to embracing a farming system that produces prime quality meals that’s kinder to the surroundings.
This achievement kinds a part of Farming for Nature, an initiative introduced in Might this 12 months to help biodiversity and environmental sustainability throughout Waitrose’s agricultural provide chain, finally working with British farmers to maneuver to nature-friendly farming.
