Springham Farm, near Hailsham in East Sussex, was acquired by the Biodynamic Land Trust in December 2020 through a generous benefactor. New tenants Springham Grove LLP have exciting plans for the future of this 229-acre holding. They aim to create an inspiring, regenerative, biodynamic farm for the mutual benefit of humans and nature that can be replicated elsewhere.
More than 200 acres of the farm is grassland, with occasional copses and a selection of ponds. It includes a farmhouse and several sizeable barns. Previously family owned, the farm has supported a number of farming activities over the past years. The River Cuckmere runs through the farm, creating wetland/water meadows. In addition, there are many trees and hedgerows with a diversity of plants and wildlife.
Springham Grove plan to invest in the farm over the coming years and in doing so will be applying the following values:
- Rewilding and use of regenerative systems, optimising biodiversity;
- Using natural processes wherever possible;
- Aiming to be carbon positive and energy neutral;
- Planning to be financially sustainable;
- Seeking to be diverse, resilient and nurturing of creativity;
- Embracing, reconnecting and regenerating the next generation;
- Using biodynamic farming principles and practices.
begininings
Since taking on the tenancy, Springham Grove have wasted no time in progressing their plans. They have consulted with a number of different parties. These have included: Sussex Wildlife Trust to discuss rewilding the land; South East Water about improving water quality; and a detectorist to identify any metal objects. They also met with holistic grazing experts who inspected the soil and helped revise the grazing plan. Springham Grove are considering increasing the wetland areas and introducing more ponds to increase biodiversity. Among other developments, a group of biodynamic students were taught how to prune fruit trees and went on to prune many of the fruit trees on the farm. A permaculture plan has begun for the areas around the house.
July 2022
A grazing and livestock manager has been appointed – Mark Goodman, who undertakes high welfare, zero input regenerative grazing for a number of sites locally. This is on a rearing contract, so part of the first set of enterprise stacking. Mark is now responsible for the 32 cows Springham secured during May and June. 7 longhorn heifers at 13 months and 25 aubrac cross heifers and steers at 9 months from an organic farm in Somerset. The cattle have been learning about electric fencing and have now settled well into the regenerative grazing system. This year Springham wanted to carry enough stock to make some impression on the grass, but without giving the farm a large number to carry through the winter. The numbers will be about 50 next year if the visit from the longhorn bull in the autumn is successful.
The grassland sprang back after its rest and tall grass grazing regime last year. Some of it is now shoulder high. Despite the drought, Springham still have plenty of green in the base of the long grass and have made some fabulous hay for bale grazing and any development needed in winter housing.
Sept 2022
Springham partner with Pasture for Life organisation on their Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes Programme:
The Pasture for Life (PFL) mentoring programme in the south-east was born out of the experience of the grassland and livestock grazing project at Springham last year (2021) and will be on stage at the Oxford Real Farming Conference in January 2023.
The protected landscapes programme will be piloted across three Protected Landscapes in South East England: Surrey Hills, High Weald and Kent Downs. This will be an opportunity for farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange for those interested in transitioning to rotational grazing or 100% pasture-fed systems.
There are three parts to the programme: Education, Membership and Mentoring.
RECRUITING NOW for cohort 1 beginning Sept 2022.
To sign up email sarah@pastureforlife.org to receive a short form. This will give you access to the educational programme of farmer-led events and activities, and also your free PFL membership.