Hello Karen, tell us about yourself and how you started your farm? 

A lifelong connection with nature was forged during my childhood, spent exploring the soft unspoilt Worcestershire countryside (when I wasn’t helping out milking at the traditional neighbouring farm and scrumping their orchards). Later, I roamed the 70 acre Derbyshire moorland farm that my family purchased in 1971, enchanted by the haunting calls of curlew, lapwing and snipe.

During the 1980’s, after marriage, I moved to Kelstedge and over the years increased the acreage there to include Eddlestowe Wood, Robridding and Yew Tree Farms. I kept horses, traditional Hereford cattle and sheep. Farming is in the blood as I am descended from generations of farmers on my mother’s side of the family.

At first, I accepted the modern methods of local farmers and my lush, dark, harrowed and rolled fields looked immaculate, but my stock looked poor so I soon reverted to traditional methods and my animals started to win prizes.

This was the beginning of my rewilding journey. Areas fenced off and left ungrazed are now 40 year old Oak woodlands. Each acorn probably planted by a Jay. Left untilled, mown in late summer for hay and leniently grazed, the meadows hold an abundance of wildlife – a profusion of wildflowers, butterflies, moths and several red-listed species of birds. Resilient grassland hosts a less obvious but plentiful biodiversity of invertebrates and reptiles based on excellent soil health.

This farm has become an oasis for wildlife in the face of climate change. My connection with nature has become a passion and has never been more deeply felt.

What is your drive to farm for ecosystem services?

I’m very concerned about climate change, I see it first-hand. My passion for nature is what drives me to do all I can to protect biodiversity and ecosystems. That passion drives me to provide a refuge for as many diverse species as possible by providing them with a safe environment in which they may survive.

There are lots of nature reserves and nature friendly farms but for wildlife they are fragmented and vulnerable and for wildlife to flourish they need to be connected.

That’s where the Wild Peak project comes into it’s own.

What does the Wild Peak mean to you?

I’ve heard about the good work that’s been done in the Wild Peak project and had often wished it could be done here, Giving nature a chance (through nature friendly farming, rewilding and stewardship) provides pockets of habitat but these need connectivity to succeed. Wild Peak organises new projects and connects existing ones.

What are your thoughts on the climate focused farmers group that you are hoping to create?

I was thrilled to be included in the Farmers Assembly organised by Ruth Pilbeam of Wild Peak and excited by discussions held to try to solve problems faced by farmers who value biodiversity. Facilitators from the Derbyshire Dales Climate Hub did an excellent job of organising and training us.

It occurred to me that although the Farmers’ Assembly represented a wide range of interests from smallholders to national bodies, there may be quite a number of small farmers who are not represented. These farmers need easy access to discussions, support and advice, but don’t seem to be involved at the moment.

Maybe we’re not appreciating just how much small farmers will be needed to combat climate change. Small farms are varied and biodiverse; they are repositories for wildlife for the future.

What advice would you give others who want to farm for nature?

My advice to those that want to farm for nature applies just as much to gardens as well as farms so everyone has a part to play.

The natural world has been injured, continues to suffer and in need of life support (CPR). Consolidate, protect and restore – consolidate by establishing what you have; protect the environment and restore lost habitat.

1. In nature, as well as medicine, “First do no harm”. So during the first year as custodian, do nothing. Let everything grow. Don’t fertilise, harrow or roll. No cultivation or applications of fertiliser. Don’t drive on the land as this compacts the soil, but if you must, go around the edges of the field, keep in the same tracks. Take a late cut of hay in August
2. Be patient. There’s no hurry, sometimes it takes two years for flowers to appear. During this time, learn about soil types, drainage, history, plants, insects, birds etc.
3. Record what you see
4. Take advice. The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is a good start!
5. If mowing, do so late in the year for hay. Leave wide headlands and un-mown refuges in the middle of the fields for hares, birds and insects.
6. Don’t try to go back in time. Rewilding is a complex subject but I’ve favoured a low risk nature-led, human enabled approach which I’ve found successful. Remember, the climate is changing so let nature take the lead.

How do you think government funding will benefit your farm and the public? 

At the moment, I’m not sure that funding schemes will support small farms. Grants such as ELMS, Stewardship and others sound great on paper but in practice are aimed at larger farms. I doubt funding will be enough to prevent small farms being sold or merged with larger, more commercial units. That’s because small farms just aren’t viable unless there is additional income or diversification.

Yet small farms are the most valuable. They are pockets of biodiversity, different habitats and soil types and usually farmed using traditional nature-friendly methods. This variety is essential – needed to re-seed or rewild other depleted areas. In addition, and arguably more important, is the provision of intangible but essential benefits: clean air, clean water, carbon capture, climate and flood alleviation, landscape and tranquillity for visitors.

A rethink is needed. If small farms are to continue they need genuine support. A realistic payment sufficient to cover costs and allow custodian farmers a living. Otherwise, most of the farms will be sold, purchased either for the expansion of intensive farming businesses or by private equity/investment funds for carbon credits and greenwashing. There is hope. Every act matters – write to your MP, save a tree or hedge. Everyone can do something. Join local wildlife groups; get involved in sustainable farming communities to grow food; join green alliances and climate assemblies. The best future for all of us and for the Earth is where we cooperate as communities growing our own sustainable food and products in an environmentally friendly way on biodiverse small farms. In the meantime, I shall do everything I can for wildlife on my patch and all of you out there, do whatever you can too.

Karen is keen to share advice and reading recommendations to anyone interested. Please contact wildpeak@derbyshirewt.co.uk, to get in touch!