Professor Martin Wolfe

We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Professor Martin Wolfe.

OF&G have worked alongside Martin for many years and his work in agro-ecological innovation has been groundbreaking and inspirational. His vision, design and implementation of agroforestry at his Wakelyns farm in Suffolk with arable alley cropping was nothing short of revolutionary and the Wakelyns Population wheat variety that he so painstakingly developed has succeeded in reframing cereal variety development. For too long zero and low input farming systems have struggled with current main stream wheat varieties and so the development and marketing of the Wakelyns Population with its many on-farm benefits alongside its acceptance now amongst millers and bakers for its ability to make a really good loaf of bread has opened up new opportunities for farmers and breeders. We hope that part of Martin’s legacy is to build on his vision and commitment and continue the development of similar initiatives.

Our thoughts are with Martin’s family and friends and we are honoured to have had the opportunity to work with this wonderfully warm and generous man.