About Us
We are a not-for-profit organisation that helps land stewards increase their economic and environmental resilience with regenerative techniques. We support farmers to work with nature and technology to strengthen food systems from the soil up, while connecting with people in our Island community.
With our in-house scientific expertise we carry out research in Jersey to help farmers and land managers feel confident about trying new practices and crops. With our teaching expertise we run community projects to increase public engagement with our living rural heritage, food, farming and the importance of healthy soils which underpin it all!
Our Services
Soil quality and soil health
We think of soil as a living material that has many functions and supports healthy agro-ecosystems. We can help you understand your soils and offer practical steps for soil conservation and ecological improvement.
- Comprehensive soil testing: analysis of texture, structure, nutrients, pH, organic matter, and soil life.
- Plant community analysis: plants are also soil indicators and tell their own story about the soil.
- Clear reports: handy summaries with visuals, and key data for reference later.
- Ongoing monitoring: track changes and adjust strategies for long-term soil health and resilience.
Rural community projects
From sheep grazing to solar parks, we can help you increase community engagement with your project. Whether through school visits or interpretation boards, craft groups or product development, we are keen to weave together our rural heritage, living histories and future hopes. We share a strong desire to strengthen and maintain our sense of island identity in the hyperconnected modern world.
- Exploring the story and starting conversations.
- Telling the story, enabling knowledge exchange.
- Encouraging participation and informed choices.
- Adding value to rural products.
- Linking history and innovation.
Agroecological research, projects and monitoring
We attract research and development funding for land-based projects in our unique island ecosystem. Diversifying or trying something different in farming comes at a risk and the lack of evidence in our context is a barrier. We support sustainable development and farm innovation by:
- Identifying potential crop or cropping system innovations.
- Writing grant or fund applications.
- Coordinating farm clusters for engagement and active research.
- Scientific monitoring and evaluation.
Creating enduring and productive landscapes
Agroforestry combines trees, crops, and sometimes livestock for productive, resilient systems. Well-designed agroforestry boosts productivity, biodiversity, and climate resilience, improves soil and water quality, and diversifies income.
We can help you design and implement agroforestry for ecological and economic benefits.
- Site assessment & Planning: understand your goals, land, and context.
- System design: alley cropping and silvopasture, boosted hedgerows, or woodlands.
- Species and cultivar selection: the right trees and plants in the right place.
- Implementation and management: Guidance on design and management.
- Economic & environmental insights: Analysis of costs, income, and ecosystem services.