Derbyshire: Strategies to improve soil health in grazing systems

During this farm walk in the heart of the Peak District National Park we'll be exploring strategies to improve soil health in grazing systems.

This year, Regenerate Outcomes is hosting a series of farm walks with a focus on growing farm resilience and profits through improved soil health in grazing systems.

Join us at Lower Hurst Farm where Nicky Stonebridge, General Manager, will be joined by 2023 Soil Farmer of the Year Stuart Johnson, who will lead the farm walk.

This event is being run by Regenerate Outcomes, AHDB and Pasture for Life.

The farm walk will cover:

• The six principles of soil health and the three rules of adaptive stewardship that drive the four ecosystem processes to build more resilient and profitable farms
• How to improve your field observational skills to enhance soil health
• How to integrate regenerative practices in the ever-changing world of government programmes and subsidies
• Demonstrations including shovel tests, soil interpretation and water infiltration tests
• The regenerative practices that Nicky is implementing on farm

You will also have the opportunitiy to learn about how Regenerate Outcomes is working with farmers across the UK to improve soil health.

Useful information

The day will start at 10am and the farm walk will be concluded by 2pm. Lunch will be provided at 1pm

Please bring suitable footwear and clothing for a farm walk and, where possible, a 4x4 vehicle as we may need to car share to see as much as possible on the day.

Please inform us of any dietary requirements in advance by emailing info@regenerateoutcomes.co.uk 

Lower Hurst Farm

The farm stands within the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. Since the early 1980s the farm has been run as a traditional beef and sheep farm, but it was in 1997 that the decision was taken to obtain organic status.

In August 2000, after a three-year conversion period, the 250-acre farm became fully organic and now has Soil Association accreditation.

The cattle are all Herefords, descendants from the farm’s foundation breeding cows, which were purchased over 30 years ago.

The farm works in harmony with nature and has been part of an environmental stewardship scheme for more than 20 years.

Regenerate Outcomes

Regenerate Outcomes helps farms to reduce input costs, improve plant and animal health, and increase profit margins through a mentoring programme with Understanding Ag – a group of experienced regenerative farmers.

Farmers joining the programme also benefit from generating additional revenue from the sale of carbon credits. You can, alternatively, choose to keep the credits for the future or use them to offset farm emissions. There are no upfront costs to join.

Pasture for Life

Pasture for Life champions the positive impacts of 100% pasture-fed farming on nature, human health and animal welfare, while safeguarding the future viability and sustainability of British livestock farmers.

Its membership is made up of all different types of farms, butchers, artisans, academics, vets and more, as well as members of the public interested in its work, all working together for restorative ways of farming and to be a part of efforts to enhance food, farming and the countryside.

It has also developed the only certification mark for 100% grass-fed/pasture-fed, grain-free ruminant meat and dairy in the UK.