About the farm
In 2000, we purchased Hope Farm, an arable farm in Cambridgeshire. It is contract farmed by one of our neighbouring farmers.
About Hope Farm
In previous years, we predominantly grew autumn-sown crops because they were considered to be more profitable. Recently, we have 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, so for harvest 2016 we grew winter wheat, spring barley, winter beans, winter linseed and spring millet.
Along with the arable land, there is also permanent pasture, which is grazed by horses and sheep. The soil is predominantly heavy clay.
Key facts
- Total farm area: 181 hectares
- Area of cropping: 161 hectares - harvest 2010
- Area of pasture: 6 hectares
- Soil type: Hanslope calcareous clay loam and Evesham clay loam
- Smallest field: 0.93 hectares
- Largest field: 34 hectares
- Length of hedgerows: 10.3 kilometres
- Area of woodland: 0.5 hectares
Our farming blog
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Another record Open Farm Sunday at Hope Farm
RSPB's Hope Farm has run a successful LEAF Open Farm Sunday event for the last 5 years. Read on to hear from Hope Farm manager Georgie Bray on how 2019’s event went. “This could have been our first year of wash out rain but someone was looking down o...
Posted 21/06/2019 by Steph Morren -
Future Farming Policies in Wales: Farmers are part of the solution, not the problem.
With its green pastures, rolling hills and rugged highlands, Wales may seem like a lush country brimming with wildlife. However, look closer, and you’ll see that this is not quite the case. Sadly, Wales is one of the most nature depleted countries in...
Posted 19/06/2019 by Steph Morren -
Nature Friendly Farmers in Northern Ireland spread the word!
David Sandford is Chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network in Northern Ireland. Below he talks about what they have been up to recently to spread the messages about wildlife friendly farming. “Formed at the beginning of 2018, the Nature Friendly ...
Posted 17/06/2019 by Steph Morren -
Dumfriesshire livestock farmer Michael Clarke explains why he joined the Nature Friendly Farming Network
Michael Clarke farms Williamwood farm in Dumfriesshire in partnership with his wife, Shirley. They run a lowland, pasture-based beef and sheep enterprise alongside holiday cottages, in which they offer farm and wildlife-watching experiences. Michael ...
Posted 14/06/2019 by Steph Morren -
Spring visits at Hope Farm
Sophie Mott The Spring brings a welcome warmth and sunshine to the farm, and with that come the visitors. Birds have been fledging young, flowers coming into bloom, and lots of species have been heard in full song across the farm. Because it is Hope ...
Posted 31/05/2019 by Jamie Wyver -
Come to Hope Farm’s Open Farm Sunday
Sunday 9 June, 10am - 4pm Each year, we join in with the national LEAF event, Open Farm Sunday. It is a fantastic thing to be involved with, getting members of the public engaged with where their food comes from in the UK. For us, it is an opportunit...
Posted 13/05/2019 by Jamie Wyver
How you can help
At Hope Farm, we're developing farming techniques that will benefit wildlife.
