The LEAF Marque farm assurance system has industry-wide recognition for promoting more sustainable farming and food systems among its members.
Katie Hilton, based in Cheffins' Rural Professionals Department in Cambridge, is a LEAF Advisor Member with over ten years’ experience working with farmers and growers in the Eastern region to optimise the value of their farm assurance schemes.
LEAF is based on the sustainable farming principles of Integrated Farm Management (IFM), providing its members with the tools and services needed to make meaningful changes that improve their farm practices for both environmental and commercial benefits.
The system has been proven to provide added value to certified farmers in terms of retailer engagement and market opportunities, with LEAF being an instantly recognisable symbol of sustainably produced food on our supermarket shelves.
The role of LEAF Advisors such as Katie lies in helping growers to optimise their use of IFM across the different standards including in soil and water management, conserving energy, protecting crops and enhancing wildlife habitats.
“This includes the more complex areas of LEAF compliance such as producing the farm-scale Landscape and Nature Conservation Plan”, explains Katie, “and we can offer ongoing support to businesses to help ensure audit standards are met.”
There is also a strong network among LEAF farmers designed to promote learning and sharing of ideas, including access to events including technical farm tours and seminars. A major element of the work LEAF does is around public education to embed an appreciation of farming into everyday life.
As Katie Hilton comments: “the most successful example of LEAF’s work around public education was probably realised through the scheme’s annual Open Farm Sunday whereby farms invite the public in to see their enterprises up close.”
“We were pleased to sponsor a successful example of this year’s Open Farm Sunday held on 8th June 2025 by the Quy Hall Estate to showcase their 700-acre farm with arable crops, cattle grazing and SSSI wetlands.”
For more information or to discuss working with a LEAF Advisor, please contact Katie directly on katie.hilton@cheffins.co.uk, or 01223 271959
