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What we’re learning about collaboration through tests and trials

Two people in conversation at an agricultural show

One goal of Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme is to help farmers and land managers achieve bigger, better environmental benefits. There’s a lot that farmers can do individually on their own land, but there are often circumstances where it makes more sense for several people or businesses to join forces and collaborate on something that benefits all of them, as well as the environment. We want to encourage more collaboration like this.

Watch: Harry's farming test and trial story

Harry Baker Cresswell

Farmers like Harry Baker Cresswell are helping us to shape the future of farming in England. In this video, Harry explains what it was like working with Defra to test and trial land management plans. He shows us around Preston Mains Farm and talks about the improvements he will make in his own land management plan.

Tests and trials: Working with farmers to design the future of environmental land management

The Future Farming Countryside Programme will co-design the future of farming with farmers. We’re working with farmers to test their ideas until we have a format that works. This post explains our 'Test and Trial' approach. As we go along, we learn what works, what doesn’t and how we can improve.