At Hope farm, we demonstrate and research innovative nature and climate friendly farming techniques, sharing information with the farming community, other researchers, and policy makers.
We took over Hope Farm in 2000, to demonstrate, research and encourage wildlife-friendly farming. We’re showing how it’s possible to run a successful farming business, that produces food, makes a profit, and is valuable for wildlife as well.
In 2000, we purchased Hope Farm, an arable farm in Cambridgeshire, to monitor the benefits of nature-friendly farming.
In previous years, we predominantly grew autumn-sown crops because they were considered to be more profitable. In 2015, we introduced a greater area of spring-sown crops, to help deal with pernicious weed problems and maintain overall profitability.
During the first five years only two crops were grown - wheat and oilseed rape. These were grown in a three-year rotation (wheat - wheat - oilseed rape). The rotation has evolved to take account of market opportunities and help implement a robust integrated pest management programme.
We now include seven different crops in rotation, mostly cereals as is typical of the area. We use cover crops and are starting to grow multiple crops in the same field to further improve resistance to pests and disease. Along with the arable land, there is also permanent pasture, which is grazed by horses and sheep.
Come to RSPB Hope Farm, Knapwell, Cambridgeshire for LEAF Open Farm Sunday on 8 June
Have a great day out and discover nature-friendly farming
In our first two years, we collected baseline data on the farm’s wildlife in order to see the effects of our nature-friendly farming.
Knowing what we started with at Hope Farm allows us to see how our experimental techniques have affected the farm’s wildlife populations.
We found low numbers of once-common, but still widespread, species such as Skylarks, Linnets and Yellowhammers at the farm.
Improving the habitat for birds is a priority, but we also hope that the changes we make will benefit other species. In many cases, helping one species means helping another.
For example, increased numbers of insects means more food for insectivorous birds. Our monitoring programme includes butterflies, bumblebees, moths, breeding and overwintering birds as well as a variety of other groups.
Since 2000, we have seen a steady rise in numbers of arable farmland birds breeding at Hope Farm.
