BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FARM BUSINESS J O N AT H A N B R U N Y E E 2 0 1 5 N U F F I E L D S C H O L A R
When I applied for my Nuffield Scholarship I was at a crossroads. I had worked in the sector for 20 years, mainly as a farm adviser and environmental consultant, and I was successfully practising what I preached on a National Trust holding in the Cotswolds. But I felt there was more to learn and achieve. How could I build a truly sustainable and regenerative farm business? How could I do more and actually make a difference? I sought Nuffield support for many reasons.
managers. All my lectures somehow linked
I needed financial help to travel, I needed a
farm business management to natural capital,
programme to give me structure and confidence,
enterprise and regenerative thinking. I hope
I needed a new network to explore. Importantly,
I influenced one or two students along the
my scholarship gave me ‘permission’ to be way
way to farm differently and with nature! I also
from home and to take time out.
volunteered as a Director of the Pasture Fed
Travelling to the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Romania, France and Italy was a wonderful experience but it confirmed some of my biggest
Livestock Association to help grow the pasturefed and agroecological movement. The PFLA goes from strength to strength.
fears. It brought home how unsustainable we
Importantly, Conygree Farm is thriving. We are
are as a society and industry. Everywhere I
more diverse than before with more habitat,
went I witnessed soil degradation, habitat loss,
better soil, new enterprises and a range of
disconnected and broken food systems. But I
people working with us. We are more profitable.
also found pockets of hope and inspiration. I saw
It’s more enjoyable.
small scale agroecological farming in action, large scale regenerative practice and diverse rural enterprise, and I met some amazing leaders and story tellers.
Two years ago I left the RAU to lead the development of FarmED – The Centre for Farm and Food Education. We aim to be at the heart of local, regional and global agroecological
My Nuffield opened my eyes, helped with
transition, working to connect, inspire and
my confidence and gave me a new vision.
educate a diverse audience – from school
The friends I made are lifelong.
children to farmers, to policy makers and
I came home determined to step up and to do more - on the farm and off farm. I left the world of consultancy and took up a senior teaching post at the Royal Agricultural University working with tomorrow’s land
communities. So far, our impact and reach has been overwhelming and the move to a regenerative future seems possible. It’s an amazing place to work and we are making a difference. My Nuffield journey brought me here.
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