And that’s a wrap for 2025! Our offices are now closed for the festive season. We won’t be able to respond to messages until the 5th of January, so if you get in touch we’ll get back to you in the new year. Merry Christmas! 🎄

The Animal Welfare Strategy has launched in a major reform to protect the lives of millions of animals The government’s promise to ban practices already prohibited in organic is welcomed, including the use of enriched cages for hens and farrowing crates for pigs But we want to see more of...

Do you know what’s INCREDIBLE for the soil? Planting trees on farms! This #WorldSoilDay, you can DOUBLE your impact by donating to our Big Give trees on farms campaign. Donations are matched - so show your love for soil today 🪱 #Agroforestry #BigGive

BREAKING - Organic is for all, not just for the privileged few. This report shows that bridging the gap between climate, nature-friendly food and people on low incomes, whilst supporting growers, IS possible Teams across Soil Association led pilots for this groundbreaking report, which found (1/3)

Our Big Give Christmas Challenge is live! For one week only, every donation you make will be doubled — meaning your support will go twice as far to help farmers to boost trees on farms. Donate here! soilassociation.co/3MA4TAH

The Environmental Improvement Plan (published today!) can deliver... 🥗healthier food 🐦thriving wildlife 🌊clean rivers 🌤️climate resilience 🌳fairer access to green spaces But only by supporting farmers to move to nature-friendly systems - more here 👉 www.soilassociation.org/news/2025/de...

My @thesoilassociation.bsky.social comment on the extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy - (TDLR: we need to talk about sweeteners...)

After organic wine? Then look no further than Vintage Roots’ all-organic selection! 🍷✨ And this week only, they’re donating a portion of every sale straight back to the Soil Association (that's us!) Supporting organic farming with every bottle. 🌱💚 www.vintageroots.co.uk/   #ChooseOrganic

New online BASIS course on herbal leys & multi-species swards now live, to help build resilient, diverse grassland Parts 1 & 2 🦋Benefits ☘️Species selection Modules on establishment & management coming soon basis-reg.co.uk/news/article... Collab with Soil Assoc, AHDB, NIAB Cotswold Seeds & others

🐑 Good animal welfare goes beyond avoiding harm 🌳 It means giving livestock the conditions they need to truly thrive Join our webinar to learn practical ways to support positive welfare in beef and sheep systems 📅: Thurs 20 Nov, 1–2pm (online) 🔗: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1801397210...

SFI closed - what does this mean for organic farmers? Our Farming Advisor Jerry Alford: “The frustration is that organic payments had only just become available outside of Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes, and there was significant interest in farms looking to convert…" bit.ly/4oVQ3CH

🐑 Good animal welfare is about more than preventing harm. 🌳 It’s about allowing livestock the opportunities to thrive. Join our webinar to explore practical steps for positive welfare in beef & sheep farming. 📅 Thursday 20 Nov, 1-2pm, online 🔗 Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1801397210...

Want some organic wines and drinks? 🍷🌿 Vintage Roots is the UK’s leading organic wine and drinks supplier, offering over 500 certified organic wines, beers, ciders, spirits and more: 100% certified organic since 1986! 👉 vintageroots.co.uk/ Use SOIL10 for 10% off first purchases! 💸

Good news for nature-friendly farming, and organic licensees. Gov has announced a rollover for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier 🌳 Ministers have confirmed a year's extension for agreements expiring in December. We’ve been pressing for this stability in the absence of other schemes bit.ly/432PH4P

We'll be at the Marches Real Food & Farming Convergence on 3 & 4 Oct to discuss organic farming🐏 We're excited to explore the food culture of Monmouthshire with a fascinating lineup of talks, as well as meeting our clients and partners! Will you be there? Come and say hello! www.mrffc.uk ​#MRFFC

Welcome restrictions on unhealthy food promotions come into force today. But as revealed in our Whole Truth campaign, the UPF lobby has successfully forced the government to dilute its ambitions. The gov must resist the influence of the UPF lobby and make minimally processed food accessible to all 🥦

Join us for a farm walk and explore how to cut costs, boost resilience & improve livestock health Field Hall, ST14 8SG Thur 13 Nov, 11:30am-4pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1504897722... 🌱 herbal leys, catch crops & low-input grazing 🍲 lunch & networking 🚜 farmers, advisors, agronomists & vets welcome

We’re thrilled to be a partner & exhibitor at LandAlive: The Regen Dairy Show on 1st October. We’ll be there on stand L4 sharing insights and support on organic conversion and certification – a gold standard of regenerative agriculture. Book here: www.bathandwest.com/the-dairy-sh...

🌱Growers, smart water use matters more than ever This webinar looks at how soil moisture probes & weather stations can transform irrigation decisions John Taylor: Pollybell Farm Peter White: Moisture Moisture Sense With our head of hort Carolyn Coxe 15/10, 3pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1639854582...

Welsh farmers 📣 this week is your last chance to apply for organic conversion support, with the window closing on Friday, September 12th. Find out how to apply, rates available, and the financial benefits of #organic 💚🌱🐮 www.soilassociation.org/certificatio...

Whatever part of the journey you’re on, join us & #TheWoodlandTrust on 10 & 11 Sept!🍃 🌳From hands-on farm walks, design clinics & live demos, to inspiring talks & panel discussions – this is where #Agroforestry comes alive! 🥬Buy your ticket now! www.agroforestryshow.com @wtscotsocial.bsky.social

Livestock farmers, join us & farm manager George Burrell for a day of hands-on whole farm planning 🗓️ Thurs 16 Oct 📍 Broome Park Farms Alnwick NE66 2EQ 🌱 Interpreting soil tests 🪱 Parasite management 🌳 Planning & funding trees 🚜 Farmer-led research in practice www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1544929659...

It's been an incredibly hard summer for farmers, with drought conditions, widespread crop failure and reduced yields. Join us with #TheWoodlandTrust at @woodoaksfarm.bsky.social for the #AgroforestryShow on 10–11 Sept for sessions on climate resilience and much more🌱 💥 www.agroforestryshow.com

Following the success of #Getfairaboutfarming, @Riverford and Sustain are calling on you again to help support British farmers from unfair dealing by supermarkets. 30 MPs are already in support of supply chain regulation, tell your MP to join the call > www.sustainweb.org/news/strengt...

We’re partnering with Earthed for Earthed Summit 2025: Generation Restoration, on 18 September at EartH Hackney, London This one-day summit gathers urban growers, scientists, Indigenous voices, artists, youth leaders and citizens ready to regenerate ecosystems and reimagine our role in the world

We grow just 17% of our fruit and under half of our veg in the UK . More public sector procurement of local produce would be a fantastic way to boost the sector, while ensuring locally grown, sustainable British food gets onto more plates

Come along to this farm walk: Cover Crops for Soil Health Find out more about 🌱 Boosting soil health 🐂 Winter grazing mixes 🚜 Min till & direct drilling 🪱 Biostimulants 📍 Tregooden Farm, Bodmin PL30 3PS 📅 Tues 7 Oct, 10.30-2 Free, includes lunch www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1535664175... #BASIS #NRoSo

Yes, minimally processed foods are better for your health. The UPF lobby should accept the science, and commit to greater transparency on additives, sweeteners and processing techniques. My @thesoilassociation.bsky.social op-ed in the Grocer. 👇 share.google/WFU1cHtWQeBY...

The full #AgroforestryShow2025 programme is live! 📅10–11 Sept, @woodoaksfarm.bsky.social Join us for two action-packed days of innovation and insight! Connect with leading voices shaping resilient and sustainable farming 👇 www.agroforestryshow.com/2025-schedule #Agroforestry #Agroecology

Things are getting a little wild over at Vintage Roots! Their Wild Thing range has just gotten a makeover, and apart from being organic, every bottle sold also supports the Born Free Foundation! 🍷🐾 Use the code SOIL10 for 10% off first orders 👇 www.vintageroots.co.uk #ChooseOrganic #OrganicWine

🐄 Dairy & livestock farmers in SW England, this one’s for you! 📍 Godminster, Somerset 📅 Wed 24 Sept | 10:30am-2pm 🌱 Min-till machinery 🌿 Non-chemical weed control 🪱 Soil pit exploration 🚜 Practical tips ✅ Free to attend (lunch included) #CPD / #BASIS points 🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1501904018...

“Plant fifty trees somewhere; plant five trees somewhere!” 🌳 Join us & #TheWoodlandTrust on 10–11 Sept to hear from #Agroforestry experts! 🌱1-2-1 advice on design 🌱Hands-on workshops 🌱Farm walks & demos Get your tickets & learn more: www.agroforestryshow.com #Agroecology

🐄 Calling all dairy & livestock farmers! Join us at 📍 Godminster Organic Dairy, Bruton, Somerset 📅 Wed 24 Sept, 10.30am-2pm for a day of demos on 🌱Min till kit 🌿Weed control without herbicides 🪱Soil pit insights and more! Free, inc lunch #CPD / #BASIS point 🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1501904018...

Pasta night just got ethical 🍝 The Easy Vegan Pasta Box from our friends at The Ethical Shop is dinner solved for weeks. It's 10% off, 25 dinners for about £3.30 a pop - all while supporting ethical and organic producers. Grab yours before the offer expires 😋 👉 ethicalshop.org/easy-vegan-p...

Thinking of going organic with your beef system? Already certified but have some questions? Thurs 7 Aug, 12-1.30pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/143020910693 🐂 hear directly from an organic beef farmer 🌳 learn how standards work in practice 🌿 get advice on maximising forage 💭 bring your burning questions

Help us make our shiny new website the best it can be! We're doing some quick user research. It'll only take 10-15 minutes and you'll be helping us to make sure our website is useful and accessible. Bonus pic of one of nature's most helpful animals - the bee 🐝 Take part here 👉 ows.io/tj/j5yc5trw

“For decades the UK government’s ‘healthy eating’ guidelines have neglected processing, assuming that whole foods and ultra-processed products might deliver the same health outcomes. We now know that to be false.” @thesoilassociation.bsky.social spittin truth 👇 www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

How many UPFs did you get right in the BBC's two minute challenge? Identifying ultra-processed foods can be tricky, and while there are classification systems - like the NOVA system - to help us to categorise them, it can be tricky to be always get it right when you're in the supermarket.

Big Food. Big Power. Our investigation into the impact of government lobbying by the ultra-processed food industry was profiled in BBC's The Food Programme It’s convenient for the UPF industry to maintain the status quo where the gov isn't addressing UPF consumption: that’s where big money is made.

🌍⚠️Excess nitrogen use pollutes UK rivers, degrades air quality & biodiversity, & contributes to climate change 🙌As a member of the Sustainable Nitrogen Alliance, we welcome this report following an inquiry into nitrogen use by the @houseoflords.parliament.uk EaCCC www.fwi.co.uk/news/environ...

We welcome Govt’s new vision to use local supply chains to support healthy & sustainable diets in its #foodstrategy. But we need more action on ultra-processed diets. Full reaction to the Good Food Cycle here 👉https://www.soilassociation.org/news/2025/july/15/government-unveils-food-strategy-plans/

“Many regen farmers are doing good. But this particular issue opens them up to criticism. The starting point for the powers that be within the regen movement is to admit there's a glyphosate problem & say they want to address it. This would show good will” wickedleeks.riverford.co.uk/features/the...

Our founder Lady Eve Balfour famously said 'The health of soil, plant, animal, and man is one and indivisible.' Healthy soil means a healthy gut - it's all connected. Listen to Farming the Microbiome, live from Groundswell! 👇 bit.ly/4lEizXQ

Over 2/3rds of calories consumed by under 14s are ultra processed. Meanwhile, the women's #Euros2025 is sponsored by Hellman's and Coca Cola Should sports stars #BeMoreRonaldo? The BMJ investigates how sports sponsorship deals swerve new regulations on junk food advertising: bit.ly/4lP3DpZ

Only 2 months to go until the #AgroforestryShow! Join us, #TheWoodlandTrust & hundreds of others @woodoaksfarm.bsky.social on 10 & 11 Sept for inspiration, collaboration opps & to discuss how to make #treesonfarms the norm in the UK. Buy your ticket👇 agroforestryshow.com @sainsburys.bsky.social

“Sustainability & profitability can go hand in hand”, says Stuart Henry (Oakwood Mill Farm) of their low-intervention, #Organic beef enterprise. Join us on Wed 16 July to explore a #WholeFarm approach & #AnimalWelfare in action. Book your free place now👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/animal-hea...

We need help from the hivemind! 🐝 We've been busy bees, building a brand new website. To make sure we’re building something useful and accessible, we need a small group of people to help us with some user research If you’re interested in helping out, click the link 👇 soilassociation.co/3TOd8cS

We'll be there - will you? Join us, The Climate Coalition and many more for a mass lobby of parliament in one week's time! #ActNowChangeForever soilassociation.co/44mBRtD

The food system in the UK is depoliticised - amongst consumers. But it isn’t depoliticised for food giants and industry lobbyists, who enjoy outsized influence at the highest level of government Fixing our broken food system may be complicated, but there needs to be the political will to do so

There's 25 ways here to protect insects - but one of them has a HUGE impact.. 🌱 ...Eat organic For every 10% increase in bee friendly habitats, like organic farms, bee numbers and diversity increases on average by over a third! bit.ly/3HDEXC3