Regenerative Wool Innovation in Total Controlled-Environment Agriculture
This agricultural innovation video focuses on Kilnsey Park in the Yorkshire Dales, capturing how a local farmer is using innovation to transform low-value and waste wool into a practical growing substrate for sustainable food production.
Created as part of the Wool Innovation Network, the film highlights how collaboration, research and targeted innovation support are enabling new uses for UK wool, increasing value for farmers and preventing wool from being sent to landfill.
While the wider project includes filming across multiple UK locations, this page relates specifically to the Kilnsey Park story, which centres on regenerative farming, circular systems and total controlled-environment agriculture (TCEA).
The Context Behind the Agricultural Innovation Video
UK wool is a natural, technical fibre with significant untapped potential, yet large volumes are currently underused or disposed of due to low market value. Through the Wool Innovation Network, farmers, researchers and businesses are working together to explore alternative applications that can deliver environmental and economic benefit.
At Kilnsey Park, this challenge is being addressed through experimentation with wool-based growing media, using surplus and waste wool as part of a circular food production system. The project demonstrates how agricultural by-products can be reimagined as valuable inputs within innovative farming models.
Filming at Kilnsey Park
Filmed on location in Kilnsey Park, Skipton, the video centres on farmer Jamie Roberts, who is championing local supply chains and low-emission food production through an experimental container-based growing system.
The story captures how wool, combined with hemp for structural support, is being used as a bespoke substrate within a total controlled-environment agriculture container. Wool contributes nutrients to the growing process, while the system itself enables efficient, small-scale production of crops such as microgreens and mushrooms.
Key filming elements include:
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A to-camera interview with Jamie, filmed outdoors with sheep and farmland in the background
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Close-up footage of the wool/hemp substrate, showing material composition and texture
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B-roll of planting, container systems and early-stage construction
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Visual references to future plans, including drawings and expansion concepts
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Drone footage capturing the Yorkshire Dales landscape
This approach ensures the innovation is shown in its real working environment, grounding the story in place and practice rather than abstraction.
The Innovation
The Kilnsey Park project responds to several interconnected challenges:
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Excess wool with limited commercial value
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The need for new income streams for farmers
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Demand for sustainable, circular growing systems
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A requirement for bespoke substrates suited to container-based agriculture
Through collaboration enabled by the Wool Innovation Network, the project has moved from concept to early scaling. Outcomes highlighted in the film include:
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Progress towards scaling the container growing system
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The creation of a start-up venture, Wild & Flo, focused on selling produce grown using the wool substrate
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A new collaboration with Harrison Spinks, a local manufacturer, to develop wool/hemp growing mats
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Early potential for regional rollout of smaller container systems to support local food supply chains
Support Through the Wool Innovation Network
A central part of the Kilnsey Park story is the role of Innovate UK Business Connect and the Wool Innovation Network in supporting the development of the project.
The film explains how involvement in the network helped to:
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Identify appropriate funding opportunities
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Access application guidance and support
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Build partnerships with research and manufacturing organisations
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Gain feedback that strengthened grant applications
As a result, the project secured an Innovate UK Novel Low Emission Food Production Systems grant, supporting the development of an innovative, circular vertical farming model. Project partners include the University of York and the Biorenewables Development Centre.
Interview Approach
All interviews in this film are delivered directly to camera, creating clarity, confidence and authority. Jamie reflects on:
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Why innovation was necessary
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What problems the project set out to solve
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What has changed as a result of collaboration and funding
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Lessons learned along the journey
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Future ambitions, including scaling production and sourcing local wool
Short, concise responses were captured alongside longer reflections, allowing the content to be edited into both a main feature video and shorter social clips.
Why This Story Matters
The Kilnsey Park video demonstrates how innovation at farm level can unlock value from materials that would otherwise go to waste. By rethinking wool’s role within food production systems, the project shows how circular practices can support environmental sustainability, business resilience and rural livelihoods.
It also illustrates the importance of networks in turning ideas into action. Through shared knowledge, funding support and collaboration, the Wool Innovation Network is helping farmers move beyond traditional markets and explore new, commercially viable applications for UK wool.
Designed for Ongoing Engagement
The Kilnsey Park agricultural innovation video has been created as a flexible communication asset, suitable for:
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Website use
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Presentations and events
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Short-form social media clips
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Ongoing awareness-raising around wool innovation
A clear call to action encourages viewers to find out more about the Wool Innovation Network via a QR code and supporting link.
Explore more examples of our public sector case study videos in our video production portfolio.