Regenerative Agriculture Accelerator Programme

Supporting a farmer-led transition in the Cotswolds.

The Regenerative Agriculture Accelerator Programme (RAAP) is an innovative initiative for farmers and advisors who want to deepen their understanding of regenerative and agroecological principles – and learn how to apply them in practice to produce nutritious food, improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and build farm resilience.

RAAP runs on an annual cycle. Successful applicants join a small group that meets regularly for farm tours, workshops, and other events. Each group brings together participants from different farming systems, stages of transition, and backgrounds –ensuring a diversity of experience, challenge, and support. This becomes their ‘community of practice’, offering peer-to-peer learning alongside exposure to a wide range of practitioners and specialists – often chosen by the group to meet shared needs and interests.

The programme’s core goal is to accelerate the transition to impactful, profitable regenerative farming in the Cotswolds by building a confident, connected, and knowledgeable community of farmers and advisors who learn from each other and from leading practitioners.

Image shows a group of RAAP members in a field. They are smiling and waving towards the camera.

Programme highlights (2024-25)

  • Farm tours, including RAAP members’ own farms
  • Sessions with Gabe Brown and Allen Williams (Understanding Ag, USA)
  • Participation in the Regenerate Outcomes Soil Academy at FarmED
  • Study tour to Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival
  • Workshops on soil health, weatherproof farming, and microscopy
  • Training in facilitation, team building, and project management
  • Media and communications training
  • Agronomy clinics
  • Co-design and delivery of the first Cotswolds Regenerative Agriculture Conference

Now in its second year, RAAP is running two groups and continuing to evolve. We hope to keep it going beyond March 2026, subject to funding.

Image shows a man holding up a plant with a healthy root system to demonstrate soil health.

Why this programme?

Transitioning to regenerative farming is a complex journey. It takes motivation, knowledge, and confidence. The learning curve is steep, the evidence base is still emerging, and definitions can be hard to pin down. Many pioneers feel isolated.

While a few farmers are leading the way, many in the Cotswolds are just getting started. Contractors also play a crucial role in the shift – as does the wider network of regenerative advisors, agronomists, vets, ecologists, conservationists, and others.

Across this network, people are asking similar questions:

  • How can we deepen and speed up the transition?
  • How do we support those just starting out—or feeling isolated?
  • How can we share knowledge and spread good practice?
  • How do we inspire and enable others to follow?
  • How can we make the most of ELMS and extend the ripple from FiPL funding?
  • Can we connect better with UK leaders and global pioneers?

RAAP is one response: a high-impact, farmer-led programme, designed by and for regenerative farmers and advisors in the Cotswolds.

Images shows a group of people taking part in a mobile soil laboratory session.

Programme management

RAAP is hosted by the Cotswolds National Landscape (CNL) team and funded through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.

It is facilitated by Jonty Brunyee – Cotswolds farmer, agroecological mentor and advisor – with support from a network of independent advisors and specialists.

 

For more information:

Contact jonathan@conygreefarm.co.uk  / 07886 305508