We have been on an exciting journey since founding New Foundation Farms in 2019 with a mission to accelerate change towards an ecologically, socially and economically abundant agrifood system. Our research made it clear that, while there were numerous small-scale and partial initiatives in the UK and Europe, the overall pace and scale of change is too slow and too small.

Our initial solution was to raise £20m to acquire 1,000 acres of farmland in the UK to build a fully integrated regenerative farming and food enterprise which would prove, within four years, that there was no longer a trade-off between ecological and economic outcomes for scaled food production.

In seeking the capital to implement this strategy, we had over 500 meetings and calls with more than 100 potential funders from around the world including individuals, asset managers, family offices, and foundations.

During this process, we were well-received by many and were made offers which totalled several million pounds. However, we have not found the anchor investment to provide capital at a sufficient scale to give the momentum needed to complete the raise.

So, over the past few months we have taken stock and investigated paths to move forward faster.

Our approach was, and still is, informed by a recognition that transformation in the agrifood system is not just a production problem. It is not just about shifting from degenerative industrial monoculture to nature-building agro-ecological approaches. What is also needed is to change the supply chain. Local farms can and should supply the bulk of the food eaten by local people. Low-cost, nutrient-dense, hyper-local food can be available to everyone, everywhere.

We realised the core issue was to figure out how to achieve the transformation needed without buying land.

We have concluded that we can now do that, not least because more and more farmers want to switch to regenerative approaches and in so doing, are looking for better routes to market than staying trapped in the commodity supply chain model of the supermarkets which now appears increasingly to be a relic of the 20th century.

We have therefore moved away from building a single vertically-integrated enterprise to creating change by working with others across the supply chain as a ‘systems integrator’.

What does this mean practically?

It means shifting our focus from buying land, to working in collaboration with farmers, food processors and citizens to build the UK’s first Regenerative Field-to-Fork Hub.

Where will we build the Hub?

A Chinese proverb attributed to Lao Tzu is usually translated as “The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”. A better translation, which reflects the original meaning, is “A journey of a thousand miles starts right here under your feet”. In other words, right where you are in that moment. That is the inspiration for us. We plan to build the first hub in Devon where the New Foundation Farms team is based.

Where exactly and when?

We don’t know exactly where yet, that is part of a 12-month project to get to the point where the hub can launch by the end of next year.

Right now we are out raising the funds we need for the project phase. We are speaking to farmers and food producers, logistics and software folks and people who can help farms to become more regenerative and measure the results. And of course looking for the physical site for the Hub.

And at the same time we are re-organising internally. Wayne Gibbins has taken a step back from day-to-day operations and has stepped down as a director to concentrate on completing his masters in AgTech at the Royal Agricultural University. Kirsty Saddler has also shifted to a non-executive role while taking on the challenge of a leading executive role in the apparel industry. Both remain part of our “global brains trust”.

The work to transform the agri-food system has never been more important or urgent. We need nature-based solutions to change the trajectory of the climate crisis and we know that farming can provide it. Literally, it is this new foundation for society that inspires our name.

Please do reach out to us if you have an interest in working with us as a funder or partner. We look forward to working with you.

Mark Drewell
Co-founder & Director