At Willicroft’s we believe that in order to create a food system that truly sustains and the planet the role of the farmer has never been more important. We often forget that if we want our food to be delicious, nutritious and in-keeping within planetary boundaries we have to go back to the source - to the soil and to the farmer. Willicroft wants to work with the dairy industry to help highlight other models of farming shining a light on a different future. That is why we are working with Dutch farmers on our white bean pilot.

This project is focused on providing supplementary income streams for dairy or beef farmers. Transitional Farming can take many forms but is best summarized as a means to lower emissions, creating a food system that is more responsible to the soil, animals, people involved, customers and the planet.

Provide dairy or beef farmers with an alternative to dairy production for economic and/or sustainability/ethical reasons
Alternative must be non-animal product consumption focused
Alternative must be regeneratively farmed
New income for farmers with farmers remaining central to our food system - income should be made possible via the sale of the beans, carbon sequestration, the cover crop and using the farm as educational purposes
Reduce the Willicroft CO2 emissions by shortening the supply chain, removing the need for ingredients to travel long distance, and having full transparency into the farming method and treatment of farm workers, soil and animals
Create a model that can be successfully replicated by any other company, farmer, etc.

Transitional farming