Green field below blue skies
"We were incredibly lacking in diversity before organic conversion." @greenacresfarm.bsky.social
#ResilientFarmRoadshow #organicfarming
"Our most important crop is our #herballeys, as it gives us fertility to produce the crops that come after it. Our farm system wouldn't work without diversity."
Mark speaking in front of slide showing poppies in one half of field
Heritage wheats
In our early years of growing YQ wheat it gave us great resilience - we realised it was modern wheats that weren't working for us. We then started growing older and older wheats and engaging with a whole new supply chain of artisan bakers. @greenacresfarm.bsky.social
#ResilientFarmRoadshow
Corn bunting sitting on a wire and singing or calling
Agroforestry systems have gone in over 51ha of the farm. Our crop is nature and in particular the Corn Bunting, they are a real love of ours on the farm and we’re seeing more and more of them. @greenacresfarm.bsky.social
#ResilientFarmRoadshow
The remarkably early harvest of ‘25 is over here with one of its better crops. Organic hulless naked barley, bred by @edwarddickin.bsky.social and combination crop carlin peas, both grown for Hodmedods amongst the new agroforestry - a field full of wildlife and trailers full of nutritious food!
Long planned barn taking shape at last - I love this sort of construction
Crimson clover, charlock and a passing butterfly #organic
Delighted with our two new Shropshire ewes - settling into their new Shropshire home amongst the trees
Undersowing April Bearded spring heritage wheat with next years herbal ley, and now it’s raining at last! Thank you spring ‘25
It certainly is but I can take no credit - a real craftsman did this (but I’m planning to do the next one)!
Hi, is a 6 species hedge but mainly hawthorn which is excellent for laying. The woven top can be alive but ours is cut willow to add strength to the top making it an instant stockproof fence
13 months on from laying, this hedge is absolutely flying!
Props in position for 2nd of 4 school visits this week. Agroecology for 8yr olds - organic food, nature, planet and anything else that crops up!
The dreamy (if a little too dry) spring continues with organic spring oats receiving a gentle first harrow pass - chemical free weed control
Three vintage classics doing a fine job #agroforestry
One of the most satisfying sights in the farming year - rolling herbal leys
Throughout our agroforestry planning I’ve had a dream that the old Kuhn Primor silage feeder would mulch our trees - the dream has come true! 🌳
10 months after suffering a seized engine on a tractor run the little MF35 is finally back in one piece and at work - it’s been quite a marathon!
The next phase of Agroforestry begins on our wetter land - alders supplied with their guards by Woodland Trust who helped us out when Defra suspended Capital Grants - thank you!
It’s all #agroforestry here atm. Another hard day marking out hawthorn, crab apple, alder and rowan lines ready for a planting push tomorrow - landscape change! 🌳🌳🌳
This month we are focusing on #livingmulches using legumes to provide protection for the soil as a permanent semi-permanent ground cover
☘️ We kick off by revisiting this blog by Dominic Amos - with key practical considerations for farmers
ow.ly/cGuK50UUQKA
An absolutely stunning day from start to finish. 13% of our #agroforestry trees in on day 1 - aching limbs but few days are as satisfying as this!
1 tree in, 3147 to go - #agroforestry is underway! 🌳🌳🌳
Grain Supply Chain Collaboration Through On-Farm Research. #ORFC25 Thurs 9th Jan 11.00 – 12.30 GMT (In person). Oxford Real Farming Conference. Chaired by Andrew Trump with Rufus Pawsey, @greenacresfarm.bsky.social Steven McAllister, and Catherine Howarth speaking agricology.co.uk/blog/agricol...
Join us at #ORFC25 Oxford Real Farming Conference
for a session on 'Living with #livingmulches' Friday, 10th January, 13.00 – 13.45 GMT (In person). Chaired by our own Matt Smee and featuring @greenacresfarm.bsky.social agricology.co.uk/blog/agricol...
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Two new recruits today - we’re assured they’re top mousers! 🐭
Half the flock of linnets just flew out of this oak tree - sound up to hear what was left!
Massive frustration! Order for 3148 trees for our agroforestry system lined up and ready to go but now on hold
As the latest deluge drains away 11 way organic milling wheat mixture Coppice Blend is enjoying the sunshine as much as me!
Our newly assembled mini-flock of Shetland conservation grazers moved into their life long home today and met the 14yr old only survivor of the last group to do this job - managing species rich lowland acid grassland for flowers, invertebrates, grass snakes and green woodpeckers
A new mug design coming soon! I like to add a few favourite species together for something different. This time some autumnal migrants to look out for!
Fieldfare, Waxwing and Redwing.
