A new partnership has been announced to put in place a regenerative approach to farming and land management across the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire.
Regenerative agriculture company, RegenFarmCo, will work with the estate, near Masham, on upcycling and agroforestry projects across its 20,000 acres.
One of the key projects for the partnership is the introduction of agroforestry, which differs from traditional forestry and agriculture by focusing on the interactions among trees, crops and soil rather than just on the individual components themselves.
The technique aims to enhance soil fertility, reduce water run-off, and sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.
Dr Vincent Walsh, CEO of RegenFarmCo: “We are delighted to be working with the Swinton Estate to further our mission of advancing regenerative food activities. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our efforts to create a more sustainable and resilient regional food system.
Dr Vincent Walsh
"We are confident that our agroforestry system will serve as a model for others and inspire widespread adoption of regenerative practices."
The estate says the partnership represents another significant step forwards in its sustainability and environmental stewardship programme. The collaboration will also see RegenFarmCo and Swinton Estate working with others to share the knowledge acquired from the implementation of regenerative farming, through knowledge exchanges, training opportunities and encouraging others to get involved.
Iain Shelton, Swinton Estate chief executive, said: "The impact of regenerative farming can be huge. From a land management perspective, it can help reduce flooding by slowing the rate and reducing the volume of water entering our rivers during storms.
"Improving the quality of soil means that land can be more profitable for farmers, helping food production become more resilient. Carbon capture has an enormous positive environmental impact, and can even generate additional income streams from agricultural land.
"We want to demonstrate the potential for this kind of farming in Yorkshire and beyond, contributing to a greener and healthier future for everyone."
Swinton is within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is one of the largest privately-owned estates in the country. It has a hotel and spa, self-catering cottages, and a glamping site.
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