Founded in 2008, AFCP has built a network of charities engaged in food and agriculture together with academia, research organisations and businesses. We are now recognised as a body that ensures scarce charity funds are used to develop skills and technologies that help raise productivity and skills across the AgriFood sector.
The AFCP was conceived in a 2007 seminar that highlighted how many small agri-food charities struggled to use their funds effectively. With strong support for a coordinating body, AFCP was formally established in 2008 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.
AFCP became a charity in its own right in June 2015.
Since then, AFCP has expanded its activities to include support for AHDB collaborative PhDs, Summer Schools and Masters by Research programmes.
The genesis of the AFCP was a seminar in 2007 that included Lord Curry, now AFCP Patron, and others. It was felt at the time that there were over 150 charities as well as other institutions with interests in research / education in the agriculture and food sectors.
However, collaboration was weak and there was no overarching body dedicated to bringing funders, partners, academics and students together. Added to this was the existence of a large number of small charities who felt that they were not able to use their funds as effectively as they would like.
It was agreed at the seminar that a body should be set up in a formal coordinating role. AFCP was established in 2008 to achieve that end.
We’re grateful for the generous support from organisations over the years including NFU Mutual, AHDB, BBSRC, HSBC, and the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, who helped us grow our network and develop early initiatives that continue to support the agri-food sector today.
Since 2008, AFCP has supported agri-food charities by fostering collaboration, promoting research, and encouraging talent development across the sector.
Our National Forums bring together charities, universities, colleges, and industry leaders to share insights and explore partnerships
Student Forums, held biennially, give AFCP-funded students the change to connect, present their work, and build networks.
In 2025 the AFCP, led by its new chair, Professor Stuart Reid, announced an update to its strategy out to 2030, based on 4 new pillars: Knowledge; Support for People; Advocacy; and Enabling.
As we put our new strategy into effect, we’re looking for new members to support our work. If you, your institution, charity or business would like to get involved, then please contact Kathryn Green, Charities Coordination Director, via the Contact page. She will be happy to help.
