How does Holistic Water for Horticulture Work?

The HWH project works with growers, the fresh produce supply chain and other stakeholders to address the protection of  critical water resources for food supply, for nature and for local communities.

 Demand for food is increasing from a growing population. Climate change is resulting in altered weather patterns with more uncertainty about rainfall and available water resources. At the same time,  the natural environment has been degraded by human activity, threatening further the provision of essential ecosystem services such as clean and plentiful water and biodiversity.

Managed by the South East Rivers Trust, HWH promotes a collective approach to water and land stewardship. This is essential for ensuring that the future food and drink supply chain comes from healthier, more water resilient sourcing catchments. We do this by

• working with growers to scope and help deliver sustainable water management measures on their farms, share knowledge and resources and signpost funding opportunities.
• Working to link businesses and strategic stakeholders to develop and fund measures to improve water resilience, soil quality and biodiversity at scale.
• Sharing resources, knowledge and information on best practice, via newsletters, workshops and farm visits.

 HWH is about working together for greater water security for the supply chain and the environment.  We offer free confidential farm visits and farm plans and share knowledge for sustainable water management.

Our Farm Visits and Farm Plans

• We scope opportunities to improve water resilience for irrigation and farm operations such as rainwater harvesting, water trading and storage.
• We assess how Nature-based-Solutions (NbS) can bring multiple benefits to your farm and the environment, such as wetlands and ponds for slowing the flow, habitat creation to boost  biodiversity and measures store carbon.
• We can signpost growers to funding and payment opportunities to support the development and delivery of scoped measures.
• We can monitor and report on measures that are put in place

The wider picture

Working together is key.  HWH is a Courtauld Water Roadmap project, one of several across the UK working with the farmers and growers towards sustainable water management.  The Water Roadmap has a target of 50% of the UK’s fresh food being sourced from areas with sustainable water management by 2030 but this can only be achieved if the different elements of the supply chain work together.