The sold-out event in Edinburgh highlighted the growing momentum for farming with nature across the country.
Scotland’s first Nature Friendly Farming Summit brought together farmers, policymakers, and environmental champions in a day brimming with ideas, collaboration and optimism. The sold-out event, held in Edinburgh in early October, reflected the growing appetite across Scotland for practical, nature-friendly solutions that deliver for food, farming and the environment alike.
The summit showcased a bold and optimistic vision for a resilient farming future - one in which productive farming and a healthy natural environment thrive together. Throughout the day, speakers and delegates shared a clear sense of shared purpose and determination to turn that vision into reality.
A highlight of the day was hearing directly from NFFN farmers, including Matt Griffin, Cora Cooper, Phil Knott and Ruth Ashton-Shaw, who shared their personal journeys. Their stories, rooted in hands-on experience, illustrated how nature-friendly approaches can support both farm profitability and the environment.
Reflections on Scotland's first Nature Friendly Farming Summit
Scotland’s Minister of Agriculture, Jim Fairlie, delivered a keynote address emphasising the government’s commitment to farming that benefits both people and nature. He said: “Nature-friendly farming is absolutely at the centre of that strategic approach that we are taking to sustainable food production and tackling the nature and climate crisis.[...] As we roll out the new agriculture support framework in phases, we are trying to embed sustainability and biodiversity at the heart of farming.” You can read his speech here.
He also highlighted support for the sector, confirming that “the next round of AECS (Agri-Environment Climate Schemes) will be open for applications in early 2026, and we’ll continue to seek to improve the scheme and the benefit it delivers.” In addition, an extra £1,000,000 in forestry grants will help farmers and crofters integrate trees and small-scale woodland projects into their businesses.
Several key points resonated throughout the day: the long-term viability of farm businesses depends directly on the health of nature; farmers deserve a stronger farming support budget; and we must accelerate both individual and sector-wide journeys towards genuinely environmentally responsible farm-to-fork systems.
Denise Walton, NFFN Scotland Chair, closed the summit with a clear message to policymakers: “There is growing evidence that farming with nature does work for profit and food production. We can’t wait for policy to catch up, but it would make the lives of farmers so much easier if it did. Scotland has set out the vision to become a global leader in regenerative agriculture. Now we’re asking policymakers and Government officials to roll up their sleeves to make it happen.”
Scotland has set out the vision to become a global leader in regenerative agriculture. Now we're asking policymakers and Government officials to roll up their sleeves to make it happen.
Denise Walton
The summit was met with real enthusiasm, selling out in record time and buzzing with lively discussion both inside and outside the formal sessions. It brought together voices from across the sector who share a clear appetite for practical, positive change. Building on this momentum, NFFN Scotland will meet with the Minister in the coming weeks to continue the dialogue and explore how farmers can be better supported to deliver for nature and climate.
With elections on the horizon, NFFN will keep championing farming that benefits both productivity and the environment, while growing the movement that’s shaping a more resilient future for Scotland’s food systems.
Listen to the Farm Gate special podcast where ffinlo Costain reflects on the summit outcomes with some of the speakers.
Thank you to RSPB Scotland and NatureScot for their support in making the summit happen.
Photo credits: Mike Wilkins