Wildfarmed has announced exclusive water company premiums to support its farmers nationwide who are investing in clean water through nature-friendly farming.
Farmers growing wheat in line with Wildfarmed’s audited regenerative standards in drinking water catchments can now access additional funding from four UK water companies.
These regenerative standards include not applying pesticides to the growing crop, using companion cropping and integrating livestock to farm in a nature-friendly way. The model is proven to reduce water pollution and improve soil resilience.
- Affinity water are offering £75/ha in addition to other regenerative practice payments
- South Staffs and Cambridgeshire Water are offering £200/ha for priority areas
- Wessex Water are offering £200/ha+ in priority areas (exact payment on application)
- Southern Water are offering £175/ha in priority areas
Danny Coffey, Catchment Manager at Affinity water, said, “Soils farmed in a regenerative way can hold and prevent harmful contaminants getting into water abstracted for public water supply across our catchments and Wildfarmed’s standards go a step further in ensuring that water quality is protected and we do not have to rely solely on energy and carbon intensive, end of pipe treatment.
“We hope that paying for this ecosystem service using the water premium will ensure that regenerative farming remains profitable, farmers can continue to invest in their soils for the benefit of both crop and water production and we all work towards creating more resilient water catchments to the impacts of climate change.”
The package is designed to help new and existing growers shift to regenerative farming and ensure Wildfarmed remains a strong financial choice for farmers.
The funding can be claimed in addition to the premiums Wildfarmed already pays growers following its audited standards.
A Wildfarmed spokesperson said, “By partnering with water companies to fund regenerative farmers, Wildfarmed growers are leading the way in delivering clean water. The approach combines private and public investment to reduce future costs associated with water treatment and ecosystem recovery.
“Overall, the premiums are designed to shape a better, more sustainable food system. One where stakeholders collaborate to reward farmers not just for the crop but for the quality of the ecosystem in which it was grown.”
Andy Cato, co-founder of Wildfarmed, said, “Farming, which combines food production and nature recovery, offers a massive opportunity to address issues of existential importance: biodiversity, water and health.
“I have yet to meet a farmer who wouldn’t want to grow food in nature-rich landscapes if they could be fairly rewarded for doing so.”
“The Wildfarmed team works with best-in-class partners to measure nature outcomes and turn them into value for farmers. These water premiums are an important step towards a food system that values not only yield but the ecosystems on which we depend.”
The Wildfarmed Water Premium will be available for harvest 2025 winter and spring wheat crops. Wildfarmed growers can apply for the payment directly to water companies.
Farmers in these water regions are encouraged to contact Wildfarmed to learn more about becoming a Wildfarmed grower and accessing these benefits.
Image: Wildfarmed photo-credit, Matthew Williams, Wildfarmed Whatsapp Group