Nature Friendly Farming Network
Nature Friendly Farming Network is a UK farmer-led nonprofit founded in 2017 that supports farmers transitioning to nature-friendly practices via free membership, regional steering groups, podcasts, events, policy advocacy, and the Innovate UK-funded NUTRIGROW soil biology research program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Nature Friendly Farming Network does
The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is a UK-registered, farmer-led membership organization founded in 2017 that supports farmers seeking to restore the balance between farming and nature. It operates across all four UK nations through dedicated country managers (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), farmer steering groups, and a central staff team led by CEO Martin Lines and CFO Cheryl Nicholson. Its core offering is free membership, open to farmers, public supporters, and supporting organizations, which provides a monthly newsletter, policy updates, advocacy opportunities, member discounts, and a peer community. Programming is delivered through digital content (website, blogs, social channels), podcasts (monthly 'Martin's Farm' and 'Wheat from the Chaff' produced with 8point9.com, plus a Northern Ireland series with Danske Bank), regional workshops and farm walks, presence at agricultural shows, and an annual Nature-Friendly Farming Week.
The underlying technology is primarily a knowledge-sharing, advocacy, and content platform rather than a proprietary software product. The public-facing stack comprises the nffn.org.uk website and membership system, an email newsletter, social media channels, podcast distribution, and a Teemill-powered online shop. The most technically substantive program is NUTRIGROW, a three-year (2025-2028) Innovate UK-funded soil biology research project led by agri-tech start-up Elaniti with AgAnalyst and the University of Lincoln, in which NFFN is a delivery partner; NUTRIGROW uses advanced biological testing, machine-learning models, and a Knowledge Graph to help farmers reduce chemical-input reliance.
NFFN's business model is that of a UK nonprofit: free membership with revenue from donations (PayPal), grants (e.g. Innovate UK for NUTRIGROW), trust and foundation fundraising (the organization employs a Head of Fundraising), and merchandise sales via Teemill. Customer segments are farmers at all stages of nature-friendly transition, public supporters, and supporting organizations such as RSPB, Soil Association, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Woodland Trust, FWAG, and NFU. Distribution is community-led and digital-first, supplemented by in-person events across the four nations.
Nature Friendly Farming Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nature Friendly Farming Network
- Legal name
- Nature Friendly Farming Network
- Website
- https://nffn.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Nature Friendly Farming Network is a UK farmer-led nonprofit founded in 2017 that supports farmers transitioning to nature-friendly practices via free membership, regional steering groups, podcasts, events, policy advocacy, and the Innovate UK-funded NUTRIGROW soil biology research program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nature Friendly Farming Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Advocacy & Sustainability Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Forestry (1153)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nutrient Stewardship & Soil Fertility Management (4R Nutrients, Compost, Biofertilizers) (AFAGAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems (EUABABAD), Monitoring, Survival Surveys & Carbon/MRV Services (Remote Sensing, Field Audits) (AFAMACAO)
Keywords
Nature Friendly Farming Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Membership: The NFFN operates as a membership organization with free membership for farmers and public supporters. They accept donations through PayPal to support their work amplifying nature-friendly farming's benefits to farmers and policymakers across the UK. The organization also employs fundraising staff including a Head of Fundraising role.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free membership for farmers, public supporters, and organizations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Nature Friendly Farming Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is a UK-wide, farmer-led membership organization that supports farmers transitioning to nature-friendly farming practices. It provides free membership with access to peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, policy advocacy, training resources, podcasts (Martin's Farm, Wheat from the Chaff), events and workshops, farmer stories, and research programs such as NUTRIGROW (a soil biology research project funded by Innovate UK).
Product overview
The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is a farmer-led membership organization offering a portfolio of programs, resources, and platforms supporting nature-friendly farming across the UK. The core offerings include NUTRIGROW (a soil biology research program), podcast series (Martin's Farm and Wheat from the Chaff), free membership with exclusive resources and advocacy opportunities, an online shop, and knowledge platforms including Farmer Stories, Resources, Events, and Voices from the Fields blogs. NFFN serves farmers, the public, and partner organizations through these interconnected services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NUTRIGROW: A three-year soil biology research project (2025-2028) funded by Innovate UK, led by Elaniti in partnership with NFFN, AgAnalyst, and University of Lincoln. Designed to help farmers understand soil biology to improve crop performance and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
Products and services
- NUTRIGROW A three-year soil biology research program helping farmers understand soil biology, improve crop performance, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs through advanced biological testing, machine-learning models, and a Knowledge Graph.
- Martin's Farm Podcast A monthly podcast produced in collaboration with 8point9.com, featuring NFFN CEO Martin Lines exploring nature-friendly farming topics and NFFN's work across the UK.
- Wheat from the Chaff Podcast A podcast collaboration between 8point9.com and NFFN, discussing land use news with NFFN UK Policy Lead Phil Carson.
- NFFN Membership Free membership offering exclusive resources and training including a regular newsletter, policy updates and advocacy opportunities, member discounts and special offers, and a community of like-minded individuals.
- NFFN Online Shop Online retail platform operated through Teemill for purchasing nature-friendly farming related merchandise and products.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% of members create wildlife-friendly habitats; 81% practice agroforestry
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Nature Friendly Farming Network
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Nature Friendly Farming Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Nature Friendly Farming Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ElaniticoreElaniti is the lead agri-tech start-up partner for the NUTRIGROW research project. NUTRIGROW is a three-year Innovate UK-funded project helping farmers understand soil biology to improve crop performance and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
- AgAnalystcoreAgricultural analytics partner in the NUTRIGROW project, working with NFFN and other partners to explore how soil organisms interact with nutrients, crops and management practices.
- University of LincolncoreAcademic research partner in NUTRIGROW. The university analyses soil and grain samples from trial farms, measuring nutrient levels, biological activity, and wider soil properties.
- 8point9.com / Farm Gate PodcastcoreOngoing podcast collaboration producing 'Martin's Farm' (monthly podcast with CEO Martin Lines and ffinlo Costain) and 'Wheat from the Chaff' series. Explores nature-friendly farming topics and NFFN work.
- RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)coreMajor environmental organization that supports NFFN's mission. NFFN staff have backgrounds at RSPB and work collaboratively on advocacy and policy.
- Soil AssociationcoreLeading organic farming and food charity that supports NFFN's mission. Multiple NFFN staff have worked with Soil Association.
- The Wildlife TrustscoreUK-wide network of wildlife trusts supporting nature-friendly farming. Collaborate on policy, events, and advocacy.
- National TrustminorMajor conservation organization working with farmers and supporting nature-friendly approaches on their estates.
- Woodland TrustminorLeading woodland conservation charity supporting NFFN's work on hedgerows, tree planting, and agroforestry.
- FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group)coreAdvisory organization providing conservation advice to farmers. NFFN collaborates on farmer events and knowledge sharing.
- Pasture for LifeminorOrganization promoting pasture-fed livestock and regenerative grazing. Several NFFN farmers are certified Pasture for Life.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Nature Friendly Farming Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Trust: Major UK conservation charity operating farms and working with tenant farmers on nature-friendly approaches; an established partner-context comparator rather than direct competitor.
- The Wildlife Trusts: Federated UK conservation network with 46 local trusts doing farmland-policy and farmer-engagement work; named supporter of NFFN and operates at significantly larger scale.
- National Farmers' Union (NFU): Dominant UK farming membership union with substantially larger farmer membership and policy influence — a broader incumbent rather than a direct sustainability peer, but overlapping constituency.
- RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds): Largest UK conservation NGO with active farmland-bird and agricultural-policy programs; many NFFN staff are RSPB alumni and both organisations collaborate on advocacy.
Direct peers
- Soil Association: UK charity leading organic/regenerative farming certification and advocacy — most direct peer, operating a similar farmer-support and policy-advocacy model with overlapping mission on soil health and nature-friendly farming.
- LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming): UK-wide organisation promoting Integrated Farm Management with farmer members, demonstration farms, and assurance — closely overlaps NFFN's peer-learning and nature-friendly farming remit.
- Sustainable Food Trust: UK charity advocating for sustainable farming and food systems via policy work, events and reports — directly comparable in mission, scale, and farmer-engagement approach to NFFN.
- FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group): UK advisory body delivering conservation advice to farmers, including joint events with NFFN — directly comparable farmer-advisory and biodiversity-farming remit.
- Pasture for Life: UK certification and advocacy body for pasture-fed livestock, with overlapping farmer membership, regenerative-grazing focus, and NFFN-listed partner relationships.
Others
- Woodland Trust: UK woodland conservation charity working on hedgerows and tree planting that overlap with NFFN's agroforestry and tree/hedgerow advocacy — adjacent rather than competitive.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nature Friendly Farming Network social profiles
Digital presenceNature Friendly Farming Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nature Friendly Farming Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Nature Friendly Farming Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nature Friendly Farming Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nature Friendly Farming Network
What does Nature Friendly Farming Network do?
The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is a UK-wide, farmer-led membership organization that supports farmers transitioning to nature-friendly farming practices. It provides free membership with access to peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, policy advocacy, training resources, podcasts (Martin's Farm, Wheat from the Chaff), events and workshops, farmer stories, and research programs such as NUTRIGROW (a soil biology research project funded by Innovate UK).
Is Nature Friendly Farming Network a public or private company?
Nature Friendly Farming Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Nature Friendly Farming Network founded?
Nature Friendly Farming Network was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
How does Nature Friendly Farming Network make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Membership.
Who are Nature Friendly Farming Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, National Farmers' Union (NFU) and RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). Direct peers are Soil Association, LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), Sustainable Food Trust, FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) and Pasture for Life. Woodland Trust is listed as an others.
Does Nature Friendly Farming Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nature Friendly Farming Network.
What industry is Nature Friendly Farming Network in?
Nature Friendly Farming Network's product category is Agricultural Advocacy & Sustainability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGAMAE, Nutrient Stewardship & Soil Fertility Management (4R Nutrients, Compost, Biofertilizers), with a secondary code of EUABABAD, Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems. Its NAICS code is 1153 and its SIC code is 700.