- About Integrated Farm Management
- LEAF Network
- Resources
- LEAF Speak Out Toolkit
- LEAF Sustainable Farming Review
- Training
- LEAF Endorsed Advisors & Consultants
- Our Projects & Partnerships
- Nature Based Solutions to Climate Change
- Beacons of Excellence
- Resilient & Ready
- Accelerating & Demonstrating the Journey to Net-Zero
Beacons of Excellence
The Beacons of Excellence programme looks to develop peer-to-peer learning and explore the benefits of regenerative agriculture and agroecology. Building on LEAF’s legacy, it will take our work to another level of knowledge generation and exchange. The first year of this programme was kindly funded by the Ashden Trust.
The Beacons of Excellence project shines a spotlight on the pioneering farmers and research bodies who are taking steps to not only implementing regenerative agricultural practices but also sharing their journeys to inspire lasting change among the farming community. Each year, we explore a different pillar of regenerative farming—this year, our focus turns to one of the most critical challenges and prominent opportunities: sustainable water management.
Sustainable Water Management
Water remains critical to agriculture, yet it is increasingly under pressure from climate extremes, soil degradation, and shifting resource demands. In response, our beacon farmers are leading by example—adopting innovative approaches that improve water retention, reduce runoff, restore natural cycles, and build resilience into both their landscapes and communities.
These dedicated individuals represent the best of innovative thinking and remain committed to continuous learning. Their hard work paves the way for others—demonstrating that farming alongside nature can lead to both productive, profitable, and regenerative outcomes.
Water Management Case Studies
Regenerative Agriculture
Running from 2021-22, the previous Beacons of Excellence programme was focused on regenerative agriculture and agroecology. Twenty two different farms and farming organisations were involved, which included LEAF Demonstration Farms, LEAF Innovation Centres and key players in the sphere of regenerative agriculture.
Through workshops, meetings, farmer support, benchmarking and production of resources (such as the table and video below) the programme looked to shine a spotlight on best practice and provide the opportunity for knowledge exchange within the area of regenerative agriculture.
Case Studies
Jake Freestone,
Overbury Enterprises
Overbury Farms is an arable and sheep farm set within the Cotswold AONB on the historic slopes of Bredon Hill on the Worcestershire/Gloucestershire border. Jake Freestone manages the farm and has been awarded the 2021 Farmers Weekly Environment Champion, and Soil Farmer of the year 2020.
In April 2022, Jake hosted the Beacons of Excellence group for a day of discussions centred around the benefits and challenges of regenerative agriculture.
Key regenerative practices at Overbury:
- Every field with more than a 5-week gap in cropping is cover cropped
- Direct drilling and min-till
- No insecticides used since 2017
- Artificial nitrogen use has decreased by 25% on wheat as a result of building soil organic matter, data from N deep core sampling and precision application
- Clover understories direct drilled into wheat to reduce N requirements, suppress weeds, and provide soil cover
- Sheep graze cover crops
Craig Livingstone,
Lockerley Estate
Lockerley Estate is a 1,000 hectare arable and sheep farm with a working forestry enterprise situated in East Tytherley, Hampshire. Craig Livingstone manages the farm and was awarded the Farmers Weekly Arable Farmer of the Year and Overall Farmer of the Year in 2018.
Craig hosted the first Beacons of Excellence meeting in November 2021, which explored regenerative practices and outcomes.
Key regenerative practices at Lockerley:
- Since Craig began managing farm, pesticide use has decreased by 41%, inorganic fertiliser use had reduced by 32% and soil organic matter has increased by an average of 1.1%
- In-field flower strips boost biodiversity
- Sheep graze cover crops
- Direct drilling and reduced tillage
- Extended rotations and improved crop diversity