Andy Beanland

Hello, I'm Andy Beanland, Founder of Resilience Soil Lab.

Why soil?

My soil journey started well over a decade ago! As a visiting researcher at Lancaster University, we developed a GIS model to evaluate soil carbon and sequestration of different land management approaches in the Lake District National Park in the UK. Fast forward a decade, it became obvious after working with some of the largest food and agriculture businesses in the world on their sustainability strategies, how undervalued and underappreciated our soils are in contributing to a thriving planet and to providing nutrient rich delicious food for healthy people. I setup Resilience Soil Lab to try to address that and support farmers transition to regenerative soil approaches.

What motivates you?

Over 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia with not a particularly favorable survival rate. Thanks to some pioneering treatment, amazing medical staff, a large dose of luck, and support from family I dodged that bullet. Ever since, I've been acutely aware of external factors that impact my health and the health of the planet. This has led me on a journey through health and nutrition, climate change, sustainability and ultimately soil. When I started to realize that soil is the starting point for everything that happens in our bodies and is a major contributor to mitigating the climate crisis, the cracks and flaws in the existing agriculture paradigm started to become apparent. So, I'm motivated to grow amazing food for myself and my family on our small farm in the French Pyrenees and help growers improve the nutritional value of their produce, stock carbon in the soil and improve livelihoods, all which I believe can be achieved by working with soil microbiology.

When you are not talking about soil?

You'll find me out in nature on human powered adventures - on foot, by bike, on skis. No motors required.

Qualifications & Experience

Certified Lab Technician, Soil Food Web School, 2023. Distinction.

Permaculture Design Course, Oregon State University. 2021

Executive Leadership Program, Yale School of Management, US and WBCSD. Distinction.

MSc Energy and Environment, Lancaster University, 2012. 1st class.

BSc Computing and Management, The University of Leeds, 2003. 2:1

2024- Technical Commitee Advisor - Regenerative Viticulture Foundation

2023- Founder Resilience Soil Lab

2022 - Independent Sustainability Consultant. Related publication: Integrated Performance Management

2014-2022, Director, World Business Council for Sustainable Development

2012-2016, Visiting Researcher, Lancaster University. Publication: Guiding carbon farming using interdisciplinary mixed methods mapping

2012-2013, Project Officer, Nuture Lakeland.

2008-2011, Senior Analyst, Sheffield Hallam University

2006-2008, Senior IT Officer, Sheffield City Council.

2004-2006, IT Consultant.