Skip to content

HARVEST Project - Member Briefing Note

Published
As a result of a recent meeting of the 'Support for Gloucestershire's Farmers' Task Group, a briefing note on the HARVEST Project has been put together.

What is HARVEST?

HARVEST (Harnessing Agricultural Renewal via Voice, Economics and Social Transformation) is a four-year Horizon Europe funded project that began in September 2026. Gloucestershire County Council is one of five regional hub partners across Europe and is delivering the Gloucestershire Hub in partnership with the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Gloucestershire. The project seeks to understand why people choose to enter, remain in, or leave farming and to identify new ways of strengthening the future of the sector.

What will the project do?

HARVEST will explore the economic, social and cultural factors affecting farming and rural communities. It will examine:

  • New business models and opportunities for farming.
  • Public perceptions and narratives about agriculture.
  • Skills, training and knowledge systems.
  • Emerging farming practices and innovation.
  • Policy options that support a more attractive and resilient farming sector.
  • Opportunities for dialogue between farmers, communities, businesses and policymakers.

 

What will happen in Gloucestershire?

The first year of the project will focus heavily on understanding Gloucestershire's farming landscape, stakeholder networks, relationships and current challenges facing the sector. The Gloucestershire Hub will work with local farmers, rural businesses, education providers, community organisations and other stakeholders to gather evidence and share learning.

A particular emphasis will be placed on engaging those who do not normally participate in consultations or formal meetings, helping ensure that a wider range of voices are heard.

Who will be involved?

The project will work closely with partners including:

  • University of Gloucestershire (CCRI are actively part of the project from a research perspective)
  • Hartpury University
  • Royal Agricultural University
  • Young Farmers organisations
  • Three Counties
  • Agri-Food and Rural Group
  • Farming, business and community networks across Gloucestershire

The Council's HARVEST Programme Manager will coordinate local delivery and engagement activities. 

Why is this important for Gloucestershire?

HARVEST provides Gloucestershire with an opportunity to learn from partners across Europe while contributing local knowledge and experience to an international research programme. The findings will help improve understanding of the future challenges and opportunities facing farming and rural communities and will inform the next review of Gloucestershire's Food and Farming Strategy, due before 2030. 

 

Relationship to the Supporting Gloucestershire's Food and Farming Strategy Document

The Task Group noted that HARVEST aligns closely with many of the themes set out within the Food and Farming Strategy, including farmer engagement, skills, business resilience, innovation, rural communities and longer-term sector sustainability. The project will generate evidence, insights and practical learning that can support future policy development and strategic planning within Gloucestershire.