CRT farming policy

Purpose  

The objective of this policy is to establish expectations for agricultural practices and approaches carried out on land belonging to the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT).  

 

Scope 

This policy applies to all CRT land, and the tenants responsible for agricultural activities on the land.   

 

Policy  

The CRT encourages, supports, practices, and urges greater involvement in nature-friendly  farming across the country.   

Regenerative farming is one of systems the CRT uses as an ecologically sound alternative to highly intensive agriculture on a near-industrial scale (monoculture), by shifting emphasis to a system that balances food productivity and the active promotion of biodiversity on farmland (agroecology).  

Regenerative farming is not a fad or a buzz word. It represents a genuine alternative to modern, large-scale farming practices that damage soil health, display an over-reliance on chemical use, and focus too much on maximising yield at the expense of the wider environment. Without a greater emphasis on farming regeneratively, we cannot hope to reverse the decline in species across the country, especially on farmland, where some of the biggest losses in our native wildlife have occurred because of intensive farming methods.  

There are many different facets to regenerative farming, whether it is with arable crops or livestock, but its common aim is to produce healthy food sustainably and with the minimum environmental impact while enhancing and improving the farmed environment.   

While the concept of regenerative farming is particularly linked to soil health, we take a broad view of its meaning and regard regenerative activity as encompassing any aspect that promotes biodiversity within the framework of farmed land. Therefore, our tenant farmers are encouraged to employ thoughtful, wildlife-aware land management practices for their agricultural activities.   

They are encouraged to think beyond food production alone and to consider how they can produce quality food profitably, while at the same time increasing the indigenous animal and plant species present within the land they manage.  

We display aspects of regenerative farming across all our properties – and are on a journey towards it as part of farming in a nature-friendly way.  

Nature-friendly farming practices, such as direct drilling, minimal chemical use, regenerative grazing, and the use of catch crops, can all be explored on a farm-by-farm basis, along with important habitat creation such as beetle banks, hedgerows, and woodland. The CRT believe that flora and fauna should be encouraged to exist throughout farmland, and not just be confined to a small corner of it or eradicated entirely. 

The CRT thinks it is only by finding alternative ways to produce food in a sustainable way that we can protect the countryside, help combat climate change, and reverse the biodiversity decline that threatens the planet. A thriving, diverse, healthy ecosystem ensures our world functions effectively.  

  

To summarise, the CRT believes:  

  • There is no one-size fits all approach to regenerative farming.  

  • Agriculture needs to balance food productivity with allowing the development of biodiversity on farmland.  

  • Agricultural activity that promotes biodiversity is, broadly speaking, regenerative farming but we also believe nature should exist throughout the farmed land.  

  • Regenerative farming is a critical component in the battle to restore nature to the countryside.  

  • Regenerative farming must also be economically sustainable.  

  

Review 

This policy is reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in regulations, best practices, or land management considerations.  

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