Grow is an EIT Food project, focusing on farmer to farmer learning to promote sustainable farming practices. These workshops serve as a platform for farmers to share knowledge, techniques, and experiences directly with their peers. The focus is on sustainable agriculture, including multi-species swards, rotational grazing, nutrient management and water quality, agroforestry, low-input production and soil health, covering beef, dairy and arable systems across the UK and beyond.

Full length video of how Ian Marshall, in Northern Ireland, is preventing nutrient run-off from his farm and improving water quality. This video looks into the system he is using, as well as the costs involved, and the benefits achieved.

The Grow workshops encourage peer-to-peer learning amongst farmers to promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices.
‍Main Achievements: Testimonials show that the Grow workshops are important in helping farmers understand more about alternative farming practices. As a result of the workshops, farmers feel more confident and encouraged to adopt new practices.

Healthy, aggregated soil—supported by thriving soil biology—acts like a sponge, holding water and air where plants need them most. In contrast, compacted soil is dense and lifeless. This video explores how farmers can turn things around. From adjusting grazing practices to using mechanical tools, applying targeted minerals, and stimulating root growth with biological inputs like species-rich hay, these strategies all work toward one goal: healthier soil. The benefits? More grass, higher profits, lower housing costs, and reduced reliance on nitrogen—all by making better use of nature’s free resources.

Delve into the principles of ethical and sustainable dairy farming, including the "cow with calf" method. Learn how a commercial dairy has successfully implemented this approach, demonstrating its viability and sustainability at scale by treating animals, land, environment, and people with respect and kindness.

Learn about agroforestry as part of a diverse farming setting.

Learn about a low-input, grass-based store and beef finishing operations with soil health being the central principle guiding all decisions. Grass is prioritized as the most efficient feed for cattle, with the farm effectively growing high volumes both with and without artificial fertilizer.

Understand how to build robust and resilient farm systems by focusing on soil health and aggregation. The training video addresses systemic weaknesses caused by poor soil health, such as compaction, and present management, mechanical, mineral, and biological interventions. Key practices covered include rotational grazing to increase root mass and plant size, enhancing sward density and diversity for improved production and forage quality, and utilizing other biological and chemical soil and slurry amendments.