About us
The idea for the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association arose in 2009, when a small group of British farmers decided to join together to extol the wide-ranging benefits of producing meat from animals fed exclusively on pasture.
Since then, the Association has developed, on a very limited budget, into an active, credible organisation that successfully champions the virtues of grass-based farming and meat production.
Run as a Community Interest Company (CIC) since 2011, the membership includes farmers, butchers, retailers and consumers – all with a passion to increase the supply and market for pastured meat.
A set of Certification Standards has been developed to define what pasture fed farming really means. Only Certified Farmers who adhere to these rules can market their meat under the Pasture for Life brand.
Outlets that sell 100% pasture fed Beef and Lamb and 100% pasture fed dairy are publicised on this website and in other promotional campaigns.
The Association is led by the views and wishes of its members and a Board of Directors manages the daily affairs according to the constitution.
An active Internet discussion forum and regional groups offer support and information to farmers, allowing them to pool their knowledge and to collaborate.
Membership is open to anyone – not just farmers
If you would like to support our work promoting the virtues of grassland farming and the food derived from it – join us today!
Milestones
| August 2019 | PFLA welcomes its 500th member |
| November 2018 | 'Pasture for Life' gains 5,000 twitter followers and is reaching out far and wide in all its communications activities to farmers and consumers |
| September 2018 | Former PFLA chairman John Meadley becomes the Association’s first President |
| September 2018 | The 7th AGM at Porlock Village Hall on Exmoor, with keynote speaker Professor Dieter Helm, Chairman of the Natural Capital Committee |
| August 2018 | Publication of a fully referenced PFLA report looking at the animal welfare and environmental benefits of grain-free livestock farming |
| June 2018 | Appointment of Philippa Stagg as Membership and Office Manager |
| April 2018 | Appointment of Bill Wiggin MP as Chairman of the PFLA |
| March 2018 | Pasture for Life dairy certification launched |
| Dec 2017 | Publication of ‘The soil never sleeps’, an anthology of poems by PFLA poet in residence, Adam Horovitz |
| Oct 2017 | Announcement of BBSRC funded (part of £4.9M awarded) research project ‘Sustainable and economic and ecological grazing systems – learning from innovative practitioners.’ The study will involve 60 Pasture for Life farmers |
| Oct 2017 | Sixth AGM at Lannock Manor Farm, Hitchin, Hertfordshire opened with a supportive video from the Minister of State, Farming, Fisheries and Food, George Eustice MP |
| Aug 2017 | Appointment of Elissa Owen as full time Membership and Office Manager. Russ Carrington promoted to become General Manager |
| April 2017 | The story behind Pasture for Life meat reached millions of consumers during Great British Beef Week, with members appearing on BBC CountryFile, on BBC Radio 2 and other high profile media outlets |
| Feb 2017 | Organic Farmers & Growers are appointed to undertake the administration of Pasture for Life Certification |
| Jan 2017 | Appointment of Steve Webster as the first Chief Executive |
| Sept 2016 | Fifth AGM held at the Royal Agricultural University with two farm visits |
| Sept 2016 | PFLA moves into its first formal office at Farm491 in Cirencester |
| July 2016 | Appoints Laura Elliot as Membership Officer and Sophia Morgan-Swinhoe as Dairy Manager |
| Feb 2016 | Launch of the Pasture for Life – it can be done booklet – the farm business case for feeding ruminants just on pasture, at the ORFC 2016 |
| Jan 2016 | Launch of the Pasture for Life – it can be done booklet – the farm business case for feeding ruminants just on pasture, at the ORFC 2016 |
| Sept 2015 | Fourth members’ meeting and AGM held at Newton Rigg College, Penrith, Cumbria. |
| Summer 2015 | First Pasture for Life audits undertaken |
| June 2015 | 10,000 hectares now managed to Pasture for Life standards. |
| May 2015 | PFLA study tour to Knepp Castle Estate, West Sussex |
| Jan 2015 | New Pasture for Life Certification Mark introduced at the Oxford Real Farming Conference |
| Sept 2014 | Third members’ meeting and AGM held at Rothamsted Research North Wyke Farm Platform, North Devon |
| May 2014 | New website launched |
| Feb 2014 | Chalk Valley burger bar, first restuarant to be certified |
| Jan 2014 | Open meeting at Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) 2014 |
| Sept 2013 | Second members’ meeting and AGM held at Fordhall Farm, Shropshire |
| Jan 2013 | Open meeting held at Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) 2013, followed by Pasture Beef and Pasture Lamb suppers for 100 people |
| Jan 2013 | Market study commissioned and roadmap for PFLA’s development created |
| Nov 2012 | Media coverage gained across the UK in mainstream farming press |
| Sept 2012 | Inaugural members’ meeting and AGM at Sheepdrove Farm, Berkshire |
| Sept 2012 | Pasture-Tracks traceability system piloted by first retailers |
| June 2012 | Part-time executive secretary appointed |
| May 2012 | PFLA receives grant from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation |
| April 2012 | Certification Standards revised to include sheep and lamb |
| Mar 2012 | Board of Directors appointed |
| Nov 2011 | Marketing trials conducted to assess public reaction to the ‘PASTORAL – Pasture-Fed for Life’ brand |
| Nov 2011 | Website launched |
| Aug 2011 | A set of Certification Standards defining the ‘Pasture-Fed’ system for beef cattle finalised |
| Mar 2011 | Pasture-Fed Livestock Association established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) |
| Jan 2010 | First meeting of interested parties |
| Jan 2010 | Google discussion group established leading to further refinement of the Pasture-Fed term |
| Nov 2009 | The idea of developing ‘Pasture-Fed’ systems emerges from a Transition Farming conference in Exeter, England |
