Embracing the Countryside Stewardship scheme

Richard and Patricia entered a Countryside Stewardship scheme on Ravenscot Farm and West Lane Farm, which they rent from Hampshire County Farms. Having looked at the options they decided that it would be viable and replace lost income from the reduction of BPS payments. Their scheme involves:

• cutting hedges alternate years, apart from roadside ones
• introducing 5 acres of wild bird seed mix,re-seeded every 2 years
• allocating 5 areas of low input grass that isn’t mowed until 1 August
• replacing a 13 acre grass field with a grass and legume seed mix to give mixed height growth

These steps, undertaken with the support of Hampshire County Farms, has given their farm a more diverse canvas which benefits their business, their tenancy, as well as the local and wider community.