David Brass is the CEO of the Lakes Free range egg company. Almost 30 years ago he started planting trees in the fields to encourage his laying hens to go and range. Since then, he has been busy planting trees throughout his supply chain. With about 70 farmers and 2 million birds supplying eggs to his company today, this is an example of agroforestry working at scale. The interview brings forward both practical considerations for the layout and maintenance of trees, and explains how they have managed to onboard their suppliers. David is enthusiastic about the numerous benefits trees have bought, carefully documented with various studies. He is convincd that there is a very clear case for integrating trees in all poultry production with very limited trade-offs. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

02:05 Story and overview of the company 

04:08 Bringing trees onto the farm 

10:14 Current design

12:16 Potential to add a perennial production? 

16:51 Is it realistic to incorporate trees as part of the feed? 

18:06 What does it mean practically for a poultry farmer to intergrate trees? 

22:35 How are the tree plantations evolving? 

27:12 Scaling tree plantations within their suppliers 

30:58 Funding 

34:34 Trees and animal welfare 

37:00 Impact of tree planting on profitability. 

39:49 Initial reluctance of some farmers 

42:34 Is the agroforestry approach something that is valued by your customers? 

44:18 the numerous  benefits of planting trees

46:15 Do you see payment for ecosystem services as part of your model. 

50:21 Supply chain requirements are driving change 

54:52 Impact of tree planting on biodiversity  

• RESOURCES

https://lakesfreerange.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/lakesfreerange/

https://www.farmtreestoair.ceh.ac.uk/ART

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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