Real Farming Trust

The Real Farming Trust, a UK charity established in 2009 by Colin Tudge and Ruth West from the Oxford Real Farming Conference, drives the agroecological transformation of food and farming systems with its mission of "good food for everyone, forever." Rooted in Enlightened Agriculture, it challenges industrial models by championing economically viable, socially just, democratic, animal-humane practices that protect the biosphere amid climate, biodiversity, and inequity crises. Its values—justice, diversity, equity, and respect for nature—fuel grassroots change through evidence, education, empowerment, and support for small-scale farmers, producers, and communities bypassing conventional chains for local, sustainable arrangements.

The Trust funds agroecology, rural food equity, and ethical local systems via initiatives like micro-dairies, community bakeries, veg-box schemes, ethical supermarkets, and food access partnerships tackling insecurity. Beneficiaries include small farmers, food producers, disadvantaged rural groups, and at-risk communities. Key programmes like Loans for Enlightened Agriculture (LEAP) offer blended loans, grants, mentoring, training, and networks for sustainable production, supply, education, and advocacy by small businesses, co-operatives, CICs, charities, and community groups.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs, social enterprises, or community groups (typically under £1m turnover, grassroots-scale) operating UK-wide, with preference for those outside southern England excluded from mainstream finance. Typical grant portions range £5,000–£30,000 within LEAP packages up to £100,000, covering capital/revenue with capacity-building. Applications start with EOIs during open calls (e.g., next unspecified; recent closed Sep 2024), leading to invited full apps, due diligence, and 3+ month decisions—no rolling grants. It excludes industrial, exploitative models undermining equity or welfare, standing out for risk-tolerant, values-aligned support, policy influence, and leadership in the UK's regenerative food movement.