Running a farm in 2026 means making every pound count. Input costs are up, margins are tight, support has shifted and hours can be lost filling in forms. There’s a recognition – led by HM King Charles III – that agriculture must become more sustainable, not only to benefit the environment but also to increase the resilience of farm businesses. 

Routes to Regen originated from the Sustainable Markets Initiative, where a collaboration of companies decided to put their resources together, so opportunities would be easier to find and could be stacked to provide greater benefits on farms. Many of the companies involved in the pilot year are continuing their commitment to supporting farmers through the programme, including McCain Foods, Lloyd’s Banking Group, McDonald’s UK&I, Natwest and Cranswick.*

There are farmers exploring cover crops and reducing tilling, but also farmers who don’t feel ‘regen’ is for them or worried it’s too risky. Wherever they are, Routes to Regen shows what opportunities could work best for each farm at their own pace to help lower costs; reduce inputs; support more productive soil; and reduce risks to their finances from weather, pests and diseases. 

Farmers taking part this year will receive: 

• A free, on-farm consultation with an independent adviser from Ceres Rural. 
• A menu of opportunities from partner companies, from financial products to premium contracts and technical support. 
• A tailored action plan built around their farm’s needs and goals, not a one-size-fits-all checklist. 
• Opportunities to meet and learn from a network of farms like theirs.

The programme follows a successful pilot year, which reached 100 farms across the East of England. One of the farmers who took part said: “It sounded like something that we could do without it costing us too much time and money…it was reachable for us without too much effort.” 

A survey with the participating farmers also found that: 

• 80% reported more positive attitudes toward regenerative practices.
• 83% rated the quality of independent advice as better or much better than other farming schemes. 
• 73% rated ease of access as better or much better than other schemes.