The Progressive Farming Trust exists to support the transition towards more resilient, sustainable and profitable farming systems across the UK.
Founded in 1980 originally as Elm Farm Research Centre, and then later as Organic Research Centre (ORC), for many years our work was closely connected with the research aims of ORC. Following the move of ORC to ADAS, we continue to trade as an independent charity and our charitable purpose remains as it has always been: to make agroecological transition more feasible by providing the collaboration infrastructure, knowledge and economic insight that farmers and sector organisations need.
What We Believe
Farming Knowledge Should Be Practical
Research only makes a difference when it reaches the farm gate. We work to turn valuable knowledge into practical resources that farmers can use and trust.
Collaboration Beats Competition
The farming sector is full of expertise, innovation and good intentions. We believe greater impact comes from connecting and amplifying existing efforts rather than reinventing the wheel. After all, agriculture already has enough machinery.
Farmers Need Options, Not Instructions
Every farm is different.
We believe farmers are best placed to make decisions for their businesses when they have access to clear information, practical examples and trusted advice.
Resilience
Matters
Environmental resilience, financial resilience and social resilience go hand in hand. The strongest farms are often the ones that can adapt, learn and respond to changing circumstances.
Council of Management
Lucy MacLennan
CEO – The Progressive Farming Trust
Lucy is Chief Executive of the Progressive Farming Trust and former Director of the Organic Research Centre. She is passionate about helping farmers, researchers and industry work together to develop practical solutions that support resilient, sustainable and profitable farming systems.
With a background spanning the food industry, research, charity leadership and governance, Lucy brings extensive experience in building partnerships, leading organisational change and translating ideas into action. Before joining the Trust, she held senior roles with Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Red Tractor.
A 2020 Nuffield Farming Scholar, Lucy is a strong advocate for knowledge exchange, lifelong learning and the role that agroecology can play in shaping a thriving future for farming, food and the environment.
Honor Eldridge
Chair – Board of Trustees
Honor is a policy analyst and food systems consultant with extensive experience advising NGOs, businesses and public bodies across the agriculture and food sectors. Her work focuses on UK agriculture policy, international agrifood trade and agri-tech innovation, helping organisations navigate complex policy and regulatory challenges.
Alongside her role at the Food Standards Agency, Honor is a participatory board member of Bristol Food Producers. She has previously held policy and advocacy roles with the Sustainable Food Trust, the Soil Association and the Center for Food Safety in Washington, D.C. She is widely recognised for her research and publications on food, farming and trade policy.
Janet Dwyer
Trustee
Janet is Professor of Rural Policy at the Countryside and Community Research Institute, University of Gloucestershire, and Project Leader at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) in Kyoto. She is an experienced analyst and policy evaluator specialising in agriculture, sustainable land management and rural development, with a strong commitment to integrated and participatory approaches to sustainability.
Janet has held numerous leadership and advisory roles across the UK and Europe, including with Defra, NICRE and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. A Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and the Royal Society of Arts, she is widely recognised for her contributions to rural policy, innovation and sustainable development.
Vicki Hird MSc FRES
Trustee
Vicki is Strategic Lead on Agriculture for The Wildlife Trusts UK and an independent consultant, author and campaigner specialising in sustainable food and farming systems. With more than 30 years’ experience, she has worked across policy, advocacy and environmental leadership, helping to shape debates on agriculture, food security and environmental sustainability at UK, European and international levels.
Vicki has held senior roles with organisations including Sustain, Friends of the Earth and War on Want, and has co-founded several influential food and farming networks. A Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, she is also a published author whose work highlights the vital role of insects and biodiversity in resilient food systems.
Susannah Bolton
Trustee
Susannah is Vice Principal for Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange at SRUC, where she leads the development of innovative approaches to enterprise and knowledge exchange that deliver environmental, economic and societal benefits across agriculture and the natural economy. She is passionate about connecting research, industry and policy to accelerate the adoption of practical solutions and innovation.
With extensive experience in research and knowledge exchange leadership, Susannah previously served as Director of Research and Director of Knowledge Exchange at AHDB. She is widely recognised for her ability to convene expertise across sectors, disciplines and supply chains to create impactful partnerships and programmes.
Brock Bergseth PhD
Trustee
Brock is an award-winning scientist, author and public speaker whose work combines human behavioural sciences and conservation psychology to support more effective environmental action. With more than a decade of experience in conservation science, he specialises in applying behavioural insights to address complex challenges including biodiversity loss, overfishing, poaching and illegal fishing.
Passionate about connecting people with nature, Brock works at the intersection of science, conservation and human behaviour, helping organisations develop practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. His research, writing and public engagement focus on inspiring positive change for both people and the natural world.
Alister Oulton
Trustee
Alister has extensive experience supporting the agricultural sector across public, industry and not-for-profit organisations. He is passionate about strengthening farming systems and supply chains, and recognises the innovation, dedication and resilience of those working to deliver positive change across food and agriculture.
With a strong understanding of the political, regulatory and economic factors shaping the sector, Alister has built a career helping organisations navigate complex challenges and opportunities. As a trustee, he is committed to supporting the Trust’s mission and working collaboratively to advance resilient, sustainable and profitable farming systems.
David Miller NSch FRASE
Trustee
David is a farmer and co-founder of Wheatsheaf Farming, with more than four decades of experience in arable agriculture. Since establishing the business in Hampshire in 2002, he has focused on developing productive and resilient farming systems that balance profitability with long-term environmental stewardship.
A 2004 Nuffield Farming Scholar, David studied labour recruitment, training and retention across Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and Hungary. In recent years, his work has centred on soil health, biology and regenerative agriculture. Through Wheatsheaf Farming’s role as an AHDB Strategic Farm, he has helped advance research and knowledge exchange on soil management, crop performance and sustainable farming practices.
Nick Skinner
Trustee
Nick is founder of Poppyfish People Development and an experienced consultant, coach and facilitator with more than 30 years’ experience across the agricultural, biotechnology and research sectors. He is passionate about helping individuals and organisations improve performance, build resilience and navigate change in complex, science-led environments.
Through his consultancy and coaching practice, Nick has led work in change management, business planning, technology transfer and organisational development for clients across the UK and internationally. He holds an MBA with Distinction and an MSc in People and Organisational Development, and is recognised for his expertise in leadership development, stakeholder engagement and organisational effectiveness.