Holker Estate Farm recently hosted a significant workshop, culminating a year-long research collaboration with Savills. This initiative is part of an ambitious examination into the commercial viability of wetland crops, a practice aimed at preserving peatlands while effectively locking in carbon. With Holker’s sprawling 1,000-acre estate being the sole individual farm in the UK to receive direct funding for such research from Natural England, the event signifies a pivotal moment in the advancement of sustainable agriculture practices.

Central to the workshop was the exploration of paludiculture—an innovative method that involves re-wetting drained peatlands to cultivate wetland crops like sphagnum moss, bilberries, and water mint. These crops not only thrive in saturated soils but are also key to maintaining carbon storage in the ground. The need for such sustainable practices has never been more urgent, especially as drained agricultural peatlands in England contributed an estimated 8.5 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020, representing 3% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

David Harvey, land agent at Holker Estate and the project’s lead, emphasised the importance of sharing insights gathered from both research and practical trials. He stated, “Sharing what we’ve learned through research and practical trials is one of the most important aspects of this project.” Harvey’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment was evident, as he remarked, “By openly discussing the opportunities and risks of alternative crop systems, we’re helping other farmers take steps toward more sustainable practices. Collaboration is key if we’re serious about protecting the carbon storage functions of our wetlands.”

The workshop not only included presentations from Harvey but also contributions from Joe Lloyd of Savills Research and Tim Parfitt from Beadamoss, who are key partners in the national paludiculture programme. The collaborative efforts aim to equip farmers with the necessary knowledge to transition towards more sustainable and profitable methods of land use, enhancing environmental benefits while also tapping into emerging markets.

The works conducted by Holker Estate have garnered recognition within agricultural circles, and the farm was recently named a finalist in the sustainability and environment category at the Cumbria Farmer Awards. Harvey expressed pride in this achievement, stating, “Being shortlisted is a real honour. It’s recognition for everyone involved in the project, and more importantly, it helps shine a light on the growing potential of paludiculture.”

This emphasis on collective effort resonates throughout the broader conversations taking place in related workshops focused on peatland management. Notably, the ‘Principles for Sustainable Peatland Paludiculture Workshop’, held in October 2023, aimed to establish guidelines for sustainable peatland practices, reiterating the importance of this research beyond Holker Estate. Similar gatherings are slated for the years ahead, such as the ‘Paludiculture Community Workshop 2024’, which will delve into challenges and opportunities pertinent to lowland peat, further driving the movement towards eco-friendly agriculture practices across the UK.

In a time where environmental considerations are paramount, Holker Estate Farm’s innovative journey in paludiculture signals hope for sustainable farming and holds the potential to inspire wider adoption of similar practices throughout the agricultural community.

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Source: Noah Wire Services