FiPL Case Studies

Background to the project

PHASE ONE

A regenerative ‘mob’ grazing trial which commenced in May 2022 with the aim of improving soil health and boosting natural productivity to make the farm more self-sufficient and sustainable. The intended benefits are:

• Cutting out artificial fertiliser
• Reducing pesticide use
• Reducing vet-med treatments
• Reducing bought in feed whilst maintaining farm output
• Increasing biodiversity
• Storing carbon

FiPL contributed 60% of actual costs to enable paddock grazing, introduction of a herbal ley, and costs for surveying and consultancy.

PHASE TWO

A much broader project taking a holistic approach to safeguard the future of the farm whilst the agricultural transition period continues to reduce farm subsidy payments.  

After planning consent was secured to convert a traditional stone barn into a bunk barn, the family applied for FiPL funding to assist with the cost of development. This required specialist materials and equipment to ensure that the building was built to commercial specification and suitable for disabled access.

Additional work included:

• Grip blocking
• Tree planting
• Scrapes for wader birds

Themes covered by the project

CLIMATE: Peat restoration and tree planting and herbal ley sequestering more carbon, more resilient landscape.

NATURE: Wader management, trees, habitat connectivity, improved soil health and sward structure.

PEOPLE: Low cost accommodation targeting different groups including younger ages, links to National Trails and popular walking and cycling routes, carefully considered interpretation, better understanding of links between faming, nature and climate.

PLACE: Restoration and new use for redundant barn, diversification to support sustainable, nature friendly farm business, explanation of cultural landscape and history to public.

Management plan objectives met

A1, B2, B4, C1, C2 ,C3, D2, D3, D5, E2, E3, E6, E9.

Background to the project

Kingsdale Head is managed with nature recovery at the core of the business plan. The farm comprises 600ha, a small proportion of which is in bye meadow and pasture with the remainder being moorland and forming part of Whernside SSSI.

Whernside SSSI is in unfavourable recovering condition due to the lack of range of dwarf shrub species, the grips draining the blanket bog and exposed peat haggs.
Alongside The Great North Bog and Nature for Climate Fund, FiPL is contributing to the restoration of the peatland and landscape in the form of scrapes, natural drainage and payments to exclude livestock from the restored areas in the winter months which can be claimed in half instalments each year. The aim is to restore the blanket bog to a fully functioning carbon store whilst promoting a sustainable management system across the Holding.

To quantify and understand the carbon and biodiversity benefits associated FiPL is contributing to a biodiversity quality index audit. This unique report will inform how the ecosystems are functioning and recovering by measuring 7 different aspects of biodiversity quality and ecosystem integrity. This will highlight opportunities for alternative income for the farm.

In addition to this, the project will restore an old sleeper bridge to improve access for hikers across the moorland. The traditional stone walls will be restored and protected with top wiring to protect the landscape feature.

Themes covered by the project

CLIMATE: The restoration of the moorland area will enable the peatland to recover and enable it to start storing more carbon. The wetland creation will help slow water flow as well as creating better habitat for breeding waders.

NATURE: Careful management of the moorland will encourage establishment of a wider range of plant species and with the Nature for Climate Funding enable the blanket bog to become fully functioning.

PEOPLE: Easier access for hikers across the moorland through the establishment of the sleeper bridges.

PLACE: Protecting the landscape features through wall restoration and top wiring, but importantly the biodiversity index will help develop a biodiversity credit scheme that has the potential to ensure a regular income to this remote farmstead.

Management plan objectives met

A1, B7, C1, C2, D3, E9.

Background to the project

The Orton Fells Farm Cluster Group are looking for other local farmers to work with and fill in the gaps in the area they cover, see their website for full details https://www.ortonfellsfarmcluster.co.uk/

This multi-year agreement funded a part-time cluster facilitator. This allowed the group formalise its structure and governance as well as develop collaborative relationships with local primary schools and various organisations such as the Lune Rivers Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, The Woodland Trust, The Farmer Network, LEAF and more.

So far the group have made substantial progress on their aims to continue managing the land for food production with the environment in mind, making positive changes that allow nature to thrive as well as creating opportunities for others to connect with and better understand the links between farming and nature.

Themes covered by the project

PEOPLE

• Running of seasonal community engagement meetings and events
• Health and safety training to all safe delivery of group events and lone working for members
• Develop social media presence and use to measure progress and success of the cluster group work

PEOPLE and PLACE

• Work with LEAF and local primary schools to set up farm visits

CLIMATE, NATURE & PLACE

• Development of a landscape scale local nature recovery plan to enhance biodiversity and landscape features
• Natural capital mapping
• Facilitation of delivery of features such as natural flood management, tree planting, land management for birds and more.

Management plan objectives met

A1, A7, A8, B5, B6, B7, C1, C2, C3, D1, D2, D5, E9.

Background to the project

 The aim of this project was to improve safety and hygiene standards at Gill Garth, to ensure long-term delivery of high quality educational visits. These visits created an opportunity for school groups and families to experience and learn about sustainable upland farming in the Dales, particularly:

• How food is produced.
• Managing the land for nature, the landscape, culture and biodiversity.
• Welfare standards.

Themes covered by the project

PEOPLE

• Information display boards.
• Fold away tables.
• Portable hand washing facilities.
• Field Studies Council ID guides
• 7x payments for educational access visit, including 6 school visits and a dark skies event with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
• Chicken coop for interactive experiences.

Management plan objectives met

A8, B4, B5, B6, E9.