Regenerating Together formalises its engagement with the broader sector
10th June 2024
In line with SAI Platform’s ambition to deliver farmer-centric and science-based solutions, the Regenerating Together programme has established an external stakeholder Advisory Board consisting of farmers, academia and non-profit organisations.
The Advisory Board will play a key role in the further development of the Regenerating Together programme. It will advise on key programme milestones to ensure that the global framework for regenerative agriculture is actionable at farm level, whilst maintaining scientific rigour.
“To successfully deliver the change we aspire to, we must make our approach to Regenerative Agriculture work for the entire agri-food value chain, whilst keeping it scientifically credible. The insight and advice we gain from this group of globally recognised experts to continuously improve our framework will be invaluable to deliver on this premise.”
Dominik Klauser, Regenerating Together Director at SAI Platform.
After carefully reviewing a pool of highly qualified candidates nominated by SAI Platform member companies, the programme’s Steering Committee and Secretariat have selected 10 individuals based on the specific expertise and diversity needed to support major programme deliverables for 2024 and 2025.
The Advisory Board includes farmers, academia, and non-profit organisations bringing vast technical knowledge and global perspectives. They are Alfons Beldman, Senior Researcher Dairy, Sustainability and Economics at Wageningen University & Research, Antoine Brasset, R&D Manager at Earthworm Foundation, Jess de Boer, Seed & Trials Manager at Agventure Ltd, Prof. Dr. Emilio González Sánchez, Secretary General at European Conservation Agriculture Federation and Associate Professor at ETSIAM University of Cordoba, Silas Hedley-Lawerence, Regenerative farmer, Coach & Consultant at Grassfed Farmer, Wayne Honeycutt, Ph.D. President and CEO at Soil Health Institute, Ken McCarty, Partner at McCarty Family Farms and MVP Dairy, Harold Perry, Co-owner of Perry Family Farm, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ph.D. Deputy Director General for Research for Development of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and leading the Excellence in Agronomy Initiative of the CGIAR and Michael Wironen, Ph.D. Director of Corporate Engagement, Food & Freshwater at The Nature Conservancy.
The Advisory Board will meet virtually later this year to review the global framework for regenerative agriculture in preparation for the release of the second iteration. Their inputs, alongside feedback from the broader membership, will be vital in ensuring that the framework is globally applicable, yet pragmatic and flexible enough to be implemented at scale across the various production systems.
“Regenerative Agriculture offers a title to a profound shift in the way we ‘do’ food across the entire value chain. From soil and seed to packet and plate and well beyond. As a young farmer, I really look forward to bringing a practical voice and hands-on approach to SAI Platform’s Regenerating Together programme. With so much work ahead of us all, it really is exciting to be part of this movement.”
Jess de Boer, Seed & Trials Manager at Agventure Ltd.
This initiative underscores SAI Platform’s commitment to fostering collaboration across the wider agri-food industry and advancing the transition towards regenerative agriculture worldwide. With the formation of the Advisory Board, the Regenerating Together programme continues to strive for more resilient and just agricultural value chains. The team looks forward to working closely with these diverse stakeholders as the programme continues to progress.
