LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) was established in 1991 to bridge the gap between consumers and farmers. A group of farmers, environmentalists, food and agricultural organisations, consumers, government and academics got together to do something positive for the farming industry.

LEAF was established to develop and promote Integrated Farm Management (IFM), using best practice and latest research developments to produce high quality food and protect the environment. This approach is not the same as organic farming, since prudent use of targeted pesticides is allowed if justified by audited guidelines. LEAF IFM has been labelled as an innovative form of practical 'green agriculture' by policy makers including the Scottish Government.

SCRI LEAF Innovation Centre

SCRI became a LEAF Innovation Centre in 2003, having joined LEAF the previous year.

The SCRI LEAF Innovation Centre promotes SCRI’s cutting edge research on sustainable farming, including plant molecular biology, plant breeding, crop protection using IPDM and producing and eating healthy food. It does this through SCRI open days, crop events, talks to schools, lectures to university students and demonstration experiments on LEAF farms. LEAF is also a funding partner in SCRI’s research delivering products to farmers; for example a large Hortlink project devising low or zero pesticide inputs for the UK’s raspberry growers that involves academics, agrochemical companies, soft fruit producers and supermarkets.

The purchase of Balruddery Farm in 2008 represents a unique opportunity to expand and develop SCRI’s role as an Innovation Centre.

Contact: Cathy Hawes, Co-ordinator, SCRI LEAF Innovation Centre.