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Exchanging on-farm experiences, where farmers discuss both their successes and challenges, is vital for the future of UK farming.

The Farmer Library

A collection of video interviews with farmers sharing their sustainability journeys, successes, and lessons learned. Farmers can discover best practices, and gain real-world insights to enhance their own sustainable farming efforts.

Guy Leonard coats his seeds with a home-brewed compost extract, creating a “microbe brew” to give seedlings a strong start. The process involves stabilising and sieving the microbes, then mixing them with molasses and fish before combining with the seed. This method is effective and less labor-intensive than moving large volumes of liquid around the farm. As soon as the first root emerges, the beneficial microbes are already in place. Guy has observed interesting results with nutrient availability. Fields that regularly receive slurry show high phosphate indices, while fields without slurry are lower. Testing leaf tissue shows an inverse pattern: where soil P is high, P in the leaves can actually be low, and vice versa. This suggests that when no inorganic P is applied near the seed, soil and microbes work together to make phosphate available naturally. In contrast, if inorganic P is applied, the plant relies on that source and doesn’t engage its natural microbial partnerships. This highlights how integrating microbial activity with soil management can improve nutrient efficiency and plant health. #sustainablefarming #sustainablelandscapes #soilhealth #regenerativefarming #organicmatter #RegenerativeAgriculture #farminglife #covercrops #climate #profitability #climatesmartagriculture #soilcarbon #nutrients
Microbe Brews, Natural Phosphate & Better Nutrient Efficiency | Guy Leonard (Episode 4)
Last week we were delighted to host three conferences across our Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire groups, bringing farmers together for a morning of learning, discussion and shared experience. This year’s conferences focused on driving open discussion around soil health, water quality, building land resilience and strengthening farm profitability — recognising that these priorities are intrinsically linked for the future of sustainable farming. The day began over breakfast before hearing from our valued partners, Yorkshire Water and Anglian Water, who set the scene and highlighted the importance of collaboration in protecting water resources while supporting productive farming businesses. We were pleased to welcome Jonathan Holmes of Lordington Park Agronomy, who shared insightful and practical guidance on grassweed control within a minimum tillage system — an approach closely aligned with improving soil structure and long-term resilience. A real highlight of the morning was hearing directly from our programme farmers. Guy Leonard of RH Leonard in Holderness, James Brown of SH Brown, Winteringham Farms in North Lincolnshire, and Jonathan Hodgson of Great Newsome Farm near Hull spoke openly about their farming journeys, offering honest reflections and practical advice on balancing environmental delivery with commercial performance. The event concluded with interactive roundtable discussions featuring a panel of experts — Tim Furbank, Anna Reynolds (Oakbank) and Linda Bratley (Rural Business Services) — alongside our speakers. The open forum created valuable opportunities for questions, shared challenges and practical takeaways. To round off the morning, we celebrated success at our annual awards ceremony, presenting honours including the Cover Crop of the Year trophy and other programme awards — followed, of course, by a well-earned pie lunch! Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such constructive conversations. We now look forward to welcoming farmers to our summer programme of farm walks and BBQs. #SoilHealth #WaterQuality #FarmResilience #FarmProfitability #SustainableFarming #Yorkshire #NorthLincolnshire
Sustainable Landscapes Programme: Growing Resilient Farms Through Soil, Water and Profitability
Mike Powley has introduced multi-species cover crops on the farm, including mustards, radishes, phacelia, sunflowers, rye, buckwheat, and other diverse mixes - inspired by the principles of Gabe Brown. The cover crop, drilled as a catch crop on 7th September, is designed to produce a large biomass to feed the soil and support soil biology over the winter. Following his winter barley, Mike usually plants in late July or early August, aiming to keep living roots in the ground as much as possible. Once established, the crop produces 40–50 tonnes per hectare of fresh matter, which is rolled down with a Uni drill before beans are sown into it. This approach follows Gabe Brown’s core principles: maintaining soil armour, minimising tillage, and keeping roots growing year-round - all key for building carbon, enhancing soil biology, and improving long-term soil health. #sustainablefarming #sustainablelandscapes #soilhealth #regenerativefarming #organicmatter #RegenerativeAgriculture #farminglife #covercrops #climate #profitability #climatesmartagriculture #soilcarbon #gabebrown
Soil Armour, Living Roots & Carbon Building | Regenerative Farming in Practice with Mike Powley
This week we visit Mike Powley at Oak House Farm in Green Hammerton, a lead farmer within the Sustainable Landscapes programme. Mike has been working with us for many years, helping to shape and demonstrate practical approaches to more resilient farming systems. During the farm walk, he shares how he has developed a low-input, more circular system by integrating arable crops with livestock to close nutrient loops on farm. Red clover plays a central role - building soil health, improving land resilience, and naturally fixing nitrogen to reduce reliance on artificial inputs. The clover is then harvested as silage to feed the cattle, directly linking soil management with livestock performance. It’s a long-term approach built on experience, adaptation, and a clear focus on making the whole farm system work together. Join us in Episode 2 as Mike heads out into the field to demonstrate how he’s using cover crops to build soil health across the farm. #sustainablefarming #sustainablelandscapes #soilhealth #regenerativefarming #organicmatter #RegenerativeAgriculture #farminglife #covercrops #climate #profitability #climatesmartagriculture #soilcarbon
Integrating Livestock & Arable for a More Resilient Farm | Mike Powley (Episode 1)
Cover crops are now a key part of Guy Leonard’s farming system. By maintaining living roots in the soil for longer periods, they help protect the soil surface and build organic matter over time. Carefully selected crop mixes are used to improve soil structure, stimulate soil biology, and make better use of available nutrients. Direct drilling has also been introduced to minimise soil disturbance. By reducing cultivations, the aim is to protect soil structure, retain moisture, and lower establishment costs - while supporting the gradual improvement of soil health. Regular soil testing underpins these decisions. By tracking organic matter levels, nutrient availability, and soil condition, management changes are guided by data rather than assumption. Together, these practices form part of a wider shift towards building resilience into the farming system - environmentally and economically- with ongoing monitoring to understand what delivers the best long-term results. #sustainablefarming #sustainablelandscapes #soilhealth #regenerativefarming #organicmatter #RegenerativeAgriculture #farminglife #covercrops #climate #profitability #climatesmartagriculture #soilcarbon
What’s Delivering Results? Cover Crops & Direct Drilling with Guy Leonard (Episode 2)
Guy Leonard of RH Leonard LTD, based on the Holderness Coast, has become a key part of the Sustainable Landscapes programme and has been adapting his farming system to rebuild soil organic matter and strengthen long-term resilience. Last summer, he hosted a farm walk for local farmers, sharing the changes he’s introduced from improving soil structure to managing risk in challenging weather conditions and discussing how these decisions connect to both environmental outcomes and farm profitability. The focus wasn’t theory, but practical experience: what’s working, what’s evolving, and what questions still remain. Part 2, coming Thursday, will explore the specific practices adopted on farm. #sustainablefarming #sustainablelandscapes #soilhealth #regenerativefarming #organicmatter #RegenerativeAgriculture #farminglife #covercrops #climate #profitability #climatesmartagriculture #soilcarbon
From Soil Health to Profitability: Guy Leonard’s Sustainable Farming Journey (Episode 1)
Guy Leonard has recently introduced a Horizon DSX 50-18 drill as his main tool for planting, which allows him to mix different crops and experiment with inter-row cropping. He’s been very pleased with its performance so far. Alongside this, Guy uses controlled traffic farming to limit soil compaction, targeting wheelings precisely. This approach has improved yields by around 5% and boosted profitability by keeping the soil structure healthy. On harvest, Guy generally doesn’t bale. He prefers to combine at a higher cut height and leave longer stubble, which helps support better cover crop growth and makes future combining easier. #sustainablefarming #sustainablelandscapes #soilhealth #regenerativefarming #organicmatter #RegenerativeAgriculture #farminglife #covercrops #climate #profitability #climatesmartagriculture #soilcarbon #directdrilling
Inter-Row Cropping, Precision Traffic & Practical Gains | Guy Leonard (Part 3)
This summer, the Sustainable Landscapes programme hosted a series of farm walks across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. At Tony Bell’s farm in Thirsk, we explored the use of PaulTech devices enabling real-time soil nutrient measurements – helping to improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency. Over on the Holderness, Guy Leonard showcased his on-farm production of a homemade biostimulant to feed crops and enhance soil biology. Meanwhile, at James Brown’s farm in North Lincolnshire, we saw the benefits of using cover crops to build soil organic matter – improving fertility, boosting soil health, and laying the groundwork for stronger, more resilient crop growth. The events were supported by a range of expert guests, including Richard Boldon (Edaphos Agronomy), Harry Moffatt and Ian Gould (Oakbank), and Jonathan Holmes (Lordington Park Agronomy), who shared valuable insights and advice throughout the events. Each farm walk wrapped up with a BBQ, drinks, and the opportunity for farmers to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, with special thanks to our expert speakers and the farmers who kindly hosted the events and openly shared their experiences. Your support make the events a success. More events to come in November – stay tuned!
Sustainable Landscapes Summer Farm Walks 2025
Sustainable Landscapes in partnership with Yorkshire Water
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Blogs / Press Releases

How Are Soil Carbon and Water Quality Linked?

How Are Soil Carbon and Water Quality Linked?

Soil carbon is a key indicator of healthy farmland, but its benefits extend far beyond crop productivity. Increasingly, UK farmers and catchment managers are recognising the link between soil carbon and water quality. By building soil organic matter, farmers can...

How Have Farms Integrated Carbon and Biodiversity Successfully?

How Have Farms Integrated Carbon and Biodiversity Successfully?

UK farmers are increasingly recognising that carbon storage and biodiversity enhancement can go hand-in-hand. By integrating these practices, farms not only generate additional income through environmental payments and carbon credits but also improve soil health,...

How Do I Value Natural Capital in My Business Plan?

How Do I Value Natural Capital in My Business Plan?

Natural capital - the stock of natural resources such as soil, water, trees, and biodiversity - plays a crucial role in UK farming. Valuing natural capital in your business plan helps demonstrate the economic, environmental, and social benefits of sustainable...

How Can I Plan for a More Profitable, Sustainable Farm in 2026?

How Can I Plan for a More Profitable, Sustainable Farm in 2026?

As UK farmers look ahead to 2026, combining profitability with sustainability is increasingly important. Planning effectively allows farms to reduce costs, enhance productivity, improve resilience to extreme weather, and take advantage of environmental payments and...

What Simple Field Fixes Save Soil and Water?

What Simple Field Fixes Save Soil and Water?

Protecting soil and water is a key priority for farmers and land managers. Simple, practical measures in the field can reduce erosion, prevent nutrient loss, and improve overall soil health without major investment. By taking action, farmers can safeguard...

How Have Farms Reduced Sediment Loss in Catchment Areas?

How Have Farms Reduced Sediment Loss in Catchment Areas?

Sediment loss from farmland is a major environmental concern, impacting water quality, aquatic habitats, and downstream infrastructure. Across the UK, farmers are adopting practical measures to reduce sediment runoff, protecting both their soil and local waterways....

How Does Good Soil Structure Prevent Winter Runoff?

How Does Good Soil Structure Prevent Winter Runoff?

As winter rainfall increases, many farms face the challenge of runoff, erosion, and nutrient loss. Good soil structure is one of the most effective natural defences against these risks.Healthy, well-structured soils absorb, store, and slowly release rainfall,...

How Do I Establish Winter Cover Crops and What Are the Benefits?

How Do I Establish Winter Cover Crops and What Are the Benefits?

Winter cover crops are a key tool for UK farmers looking to protect soil, improve fertility, and reduce environmental impacts during the off-season. By keeping the soil covered, cover crops can prevent erosion, improve water infiltration, and build organic matter, all...