Patrick Holden CBE
Patrick is the founder and chief executive of the Sustainable Food Trust. Patrick’s extensive advocacy work centres on the importance of transforming our food and farming systems to address climate change, reverse biodiversity loss, and improve public health. This work includes regular broadcasts and talks at public events.
After studying biodynamic agriculture at Emerson College, Patrick established a mixed community farm in Wales in 1973. His farm is now the longest established mixed organic dairy holding in Wales, producing an-award winning raw milk cheddar-style cheese, Hafod, from the milk of 90 Ayrshire dairy cows.
Patrick was the founding chairman of British Organic Farmers in 1982, and director of the Soil Association from 1995 and 2010, during which time the organisation led the development of both organic standards and the market for organic foods. He is a Patron of the UK Biodynamic Association and, in 2005, he received a CBE for services to organic farming. In 2022 he was awarded an honorary doctorate for international work in sustainable agriculture from the University of Wales Trinity St David, bestowed upon him by the then Prince of Wales.