Environmental farmers seek more members

A group of Lincolnshire farmers has secured the funding needed to improve the environment by trading natural capital.

The Northern Lincolnshire Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) is a farmer-led cooperative working to increase biodiversity, improve water quality, achieve net carbon farming by 2040 and generate new trading opportunities.

Financial returns

It is the 10th group of its kind to be established across the UK since 2020, with the EFG network now comprising 433 farmers, covering around 3% of England’s farmed area and a trading pipeline worth about £10m.

The group covers areas around Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Immingham, Louth, Crowle and Epworth. Founder members include Andrew Jackson, from Pink Pig Farm; and William Sowerby, from Forward Farming.

The EFG works to secure the best environmental outcomes and financial returns for farmers who deliver a range of natural capital goods and services. So far, more than local 40 farmers have expressed an interest in becoming members.

Mr Sowerby said: “We see some key potential opportunities for EFG farmers to support growth in the area through cleaner water projects, as well as biodiversity and carbon mitigation for new industrial developments.”

Supported by Lincolnshire law firm Wilkin Chapman and agricultural machinery supplier Peacock & Binnington, the group is now appealing for more members in the North Lincolnshire area.

For details about the group, please email w.sowerby@farming.co.uk