The North Wyke farming platform site, run by Rothamsted Research in Okehampton, Devon has been named an Innovation Centre by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), a prominent organisation promoting sustainable farming.

North Wyke has become LEAF’s eighth Innovation Centre – part of a network of research organisations building up evidence and driving the development and promotion of Integrated Farm Management.

It will showcase sustainable farming methods, particularly in the area of grassland systems, and support the development and promotion of sustainable farming through Integrated Farm Management.

Speaking at the launch last week, Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF, said, “The North Wyke site of Rothamsted Research provides unique research capabilities for the UK. Their pioneering work into grazed grassland soils is helping to address some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges. As a LEAF Innovation Centre, we will be able to access this cutting edge research and ensure that it reaches our members and the wider farming community. We are hugely excited about the opportunities this partnership will offer our members to improve the function, resilience and sustainability of farming systems. It will result in improved understanding of the complexity of grassland ecosystems and what it means for practical land management, food production and environmental goals.”

“LEAF is committed to the delivery of more sustainable food and farming. This can only be achieved through close collaboration across the food, farming and research sectors. We have enjoyed a close relationship with North Wyke over many years and I am particularly pleased to formalise our partnership with them through their role as a LEAF Innovation Centre.”

Professor Michael Lee, Head of the North Wyke site, added, “The Farm Platform National Capability, supported by BBSRC at North Wyke, is at the cutting edge of research into sustainable grazing livestock systems. However, impact will only be achieved through the dissemination of this research to the farming community. The enrolment of the North Wyke site of Rothamsted Research as a LEAF Innovation Centre is part of our growing activities to aid the transfer of knowledge to our stakeholders to put research into action.”