KindHarvest summary: Newhouse Farm in Hampshire is building agroforestry, woodland and stewardship into a working arable business. Farm manager Andy Bason’s approach treats trees, biodiversity and food production as connected parts of a long-term farm plan.
What is changing on the farm
The farm planted about 400 apple, pear and walnut trees in four-metre strips across a 10-hectare oilseed rape field, with 30 metres between strips. Wildflowers were planned for the tree rows to add habitat and pollinator value. Deer browsing is an early management challenge because the area cannot be fully fenced.
A separate 10-hectare woodland project will add around 20,000 trees on a less productive field, supported by a UK woodland creation grant. The farm is also developing an enhanced Countryside Stewardship agreement and has become a LEAF demonstration farm, creating opportunities to share the work with visitors.
Why it matters
This is a practical example of stacking functions: continuing crop production while adding perennial crops, habitat, carbon storage, education and possible future income. The early deer damage is also a useful reminder that agroforestry design must include establishment risk and wildlife pressure.
Source and credit
This KindHarvest Team brief is based on reporting by Louise Impey for Farmers Weekly, published 14 September 2022. Read the original article at Farmers Weekly.