Name

Tony Little

Location

Newport Pembs (Delivery all Wales)

Key Specialism

Organic/ Agroecological/ Regenerative farming

Sector

  • Horticulture
  • Mixed Farming

Why are you an effective Advisor?

  • 20 years’ experience of advisory and knowledge exchange, working with organic and agroecological farmers.
  • Practical experience working on Organic Upland Sheep Systems and Market Gardens
  • Advises on all key aspects of organic and agroecological farming, including: organic conversion planning; soil health and fertility; crop rotations; manure and compost management; water management; pest, disease and weed management; carbon impact assessment; and integrating horticulture and arable crops into livestock systems
  • Has worked extensively on farming systems for short supply chain and local food systems, supporting new entrants and helping established farmers explore the implications of switching from supplying supermarkets
  • Strong track record advising community-based food businesses, including Community supported Agriculture projects,
  • Longstanding relationships with the key organic and agroecological research organisations
  • Skilled communicator
  • Always takes time to understand farmers’ economic, environmental and social/ family objectives.
  • Takes a holistic approach to farming and growing
  • Strategic thinker
  • Analytical approach to advice, setting out options concisely, and clearly analysing costs, benefits and risks.
     

Qualifications/Achievements/Experience

  • MSc Pest Management, Imperial College London, 1997#
  • BSc Agricultural and Environmental Science. University of Newcastle Upton Tyne, 1994
  • Agricultural Consultant, Sustainable Farming Consultancy (2015 – Present); One to one advice on all aspects of organic and agroecological farming; Farmer led Research facilitator; project evaluation. 
  • Director Organic Growers Alliance 2013 – Present
  • Resilient and local food systems Coordinator, Landworkers’ Alliance (2020 – 2023). Helping farmers and growers understand short supply chain and local food systems, and the implications of switching from supermarket supply chains; facilitating collaboration between farmers, food businesses.
  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Worker. Social Farms & Gardens (2017 – 2019); supporting establishment and develop of CSA projects in Wales.
  • Organic Centre Wales team member, Aberystwyth University (2001 – 2015); Managing Organic Conversion Information Service; Knowledge exchange under the Farming Connect Organic Development Programme; Organic supply chain development;
     

Top Tip/Quote

“Soil health and diversity are the foundations of resilient, productive and viable farming businesses.”