Creating a sustainable farming landscape in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds
The Wolds Programme delivers a collaborative, geographically focused, farmer engagement initiative focused on sustainability, water management and innovative production methods that encompass both profitability and long-term environmental considerations.
Creating a sustainable farming landscape in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds
The Wolds Programme delivers a collaborative, geographically focused, farmer engagement initiative focused on sustainability, water management and innovative production methods that encompass both profitability and long-term environmental considerations.
Programme Objectives
Programme Objectives
IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE
NEW FARMING METHODS
To prevent soil erosion and flooding whilst increasing soil water holding capacity
Introduce farming methods that create co-benefits for farm profitability, supply chain resilience and the natural environment
IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE
NEW FARMING METHODS
To prevent soil erosion and flooding whilst increasing soil water holding capacity
Introduce new farming methods that create co-benefits for farm profitability, supply chain resilience and the natural environment
REDUCE NITROGEN LEACHING
LANDSCAPE-WIDE EFFECTIVENESS
Building soil health whilst reducing the risks of nitrogen leaching into surface water, boosting biodiversity
Create a landscape-wide programme that benefits all stakeholders
REDUCE NITROGEN LEACHING
LANDSCAPE-WIDE EFFECTIVENESS
Building soil health whilst reducing the risks of nitrogen leaching into surface water, boosting biodiversity
Create a landscape-wide programme that benefits all stakeholders
IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE
Improving soil structure to prevent soil erosion and flooding whilst increasing soil water holding capacity
NEW FARMING METHODS
Introduce farming methods that create co-benefits for farm profitability, supply chain resilience and the natural environment
REDUCE NITROGEN LEACHING
Building soil health whilst reducing the risks of nitrogen leaching into surface water, boosting biodiversity
LANDSCAPE-WIDE EFFECTIVENESS
Create a landscape-wide programme that benefits all stakeholders
About The Programme
To maximise the impact of our activities, Sustainable Landscapes has always had a whole farm approach to sustainability. Working across the whole rotation as production moves from one crop to another from year to year developing farming techniques that improve soil quality and structure, at the same time improving water quality, biodiversity. These techniques not only can improve soil fertility reducing the crop’s fertiliser requirements but can also hold water up in the soil organic matter, reducing the impact of drought as well as helping with flood attenuation and reducing soil erosion.
To improve soil organic matter, through the programme farmers will look to grow cover crops to capture any residual nutrients left in the soil from the previous crop. This will reduce the potential for over winter leaching into the aquifers, and reduce the next year’s fertiliser requirement. These cover crops also draw down CO2 from the atmosphere help to sequestrate carbon.
We are currently developing the technique of companion cropping to further draw down carbon, reduce the dependence on bag Nitrogen and improve biodiversity across the whole field. Also, the team are developing the use of functional field margins, to supercharge bio-diversity and improve carbon drawdown.
The farmers will also look at ways of reducing their use of chemical Nitrogen, improve the utilisation of that Nitrogen, and “look to get more from less” at the same time improving profitability. FFSL recently ran a Masterclass event close to Driffield to explore ways to “ Make the Most of Manures”. This focused on the utilisation of organic manures to improve crop yields, reduce fertiliser costs and reduce pollution.
About The Programme
To maximise the impact of our activities, Sustainable Landscapes has always had a whole farm approach to sustainability. Working across the whole rotation as production moves from one crop to another from year to year developing farming techniques that improve soil quality and structure, at the same time improving water quality, biodiversity. These techniques not only can improve soil fertility reducing the crop’s fertiliser requirements but can also hold water up in the soil organic matter, reducing the impact of drought as well as helping with flood attenuation and reducing soil erosion.
To improve soil organic matter, through the programme farmers will look to grow cover crops to capture any residual nutrients left in the soil from the previous crop. This will reduce the potential for over winter leaching into the aquifers, and reduce the next year’s fertiliser requirement. These cover crops also draw down CO2 from the atmosphere help to sequestrate carbon.
We are currently developing the technique of companion cropping to further draw down carbon, reduce the dependence on bag Nitrogen and improve biodiversity across the whole field. Also, the team are developing the use of functional field margins, to supercharge bio-diversity and improve carbon drawdown.
The farmers will also look at ways of reducing their use of chemical Nitrogen, improve the utilisation of that Nitrogen, and “look to get more from less” at the same time improving profitability. FFSL recently ran a Masterclass event close to Driffield to explore ways to “ Make the Most of Manures”. This focused on the utilisation of organic manures to improve crop yields, reduce fertiliser costs and reduce pollution.
“For our business, being involved in the Wolds Programme has ticked loads of boxes; reducing our nitrogen bill and trialling cover crops with very little risk to see how it’s going to benefit our soil and yield, which is mutually beneficial for Yorkshire Water.”
Liz Sellers
Project Lead, Harrison Farms
“For our business, being involved in the Wolds Programme has ticked loads of boxes; reducing our nitrogen bill and trialling cover crops with very little risk to see how it’s going to benefit our soil and yield, which is mutually beneficial for Yorkshire Water.”
Liz Sellers
Project Lead, Harrison Farms
“For our business, being involved in the Wolds Programme has ticked loads of boxes; reducing our nitrogen bill and trialling cover crops with very little risk to see how it’s going to benefit our soil and yield, which is mutually beneficial for Yorkshire Water”.
Liz Sellers
Project Lead
Harrison Farms
Location
The Wolds Programme covers a 10-mile diameter around Kilham. This area is a key aquifer for water collection and latterly abstraction. It is also an important source of water which runs into the River Hull and down towards the city of Hull.
Location
The Wolds Programme covers a 10-mile diameter around Kilham. This area is a key aquifer for water collection and latterly abstraction. It is also an important source of water which runs into the River Hull and down towards the city of Hull.
Yorkshire Water Working With Farmers
This collaborative programme will help to develop a long-lasting positive relationship between Yorkshire Water and the farmers farming this important water management and catchment area. The programme will facilitate cultural change and the adoption of new farming practices that will over time improve soil quality, water quality and help to reduce flooding.
Yorkshire Water Working With Farmers
This collaborative programme will help to develop a long-lasting positive relationship between Yorkshire Water and the farmers farming this important water management and catchment area. The programme will facilitate cultural change and the adoption of new farming practices that will over time improve soil quality, water quality and help to reduce flooding.
Farmer Partner Benefits
The farmers involved in the Humber Programme get an enormous amount of material, and technical support to help them move towards more sustainable farming systems. These new farming practices will help their businesses to be more profitable and therefore more sustainable, at the same time having a positive impact on the environment, water quality, carbon capture and biodiversity.
Farmer Partner Benefits
The farmers involved in the Humber Programme get an enormous amount of material, and technical support to help them move towards more sustainable farming systems. These new farming practices will help their businesses to be more profitable and therefore more sustainable, at the same time having a positive impact on the environment, water quality, carbon capture and biodiversity.
Farmer Partner Benefits
The farmers involved in the Humber Programme get an enormous amount of material, and technical support to help them move towards more sustainable farming systems. These new farming practices will help their businesses to be more profitable and therefore more sustainable, at the same time having a positive impact on the environment, water quality, carbon capture and biodiversity.
Programme Sponsors & Delivery Partners
Programme Sponsors & Delivery Partners
