Whole Farm Approach - Tree and Pasture Management

We are kindly hosted by Jenny and Mark Lee at Park House Farm, an organic Jersey–Friesian dairy farm in Torpenhow, Cumbria, within the Lake District region.

You can find out more about their farm here.

This event will bring together farmers, advisers and others interested in making the most of their farm through thoughtful, integrated management. Jenny and Mark use agroforestry alongside their pastures in their farming system - a combination of hedgerows, planted alleys and woodland. They harvest tree hay in August for feeding overwinter.

10:00am – Welcome & introductions

We’ll start the day with a brief introduction to Park House farms system, and the thinking behind its approach to pasture and fodder management.

Farm walk

A look at pasture management in practice. Discuss grazing strategy, infrastructure and decision-making in pasture and setting up and use of trees and hedgerows on farm. Explore how different parts of the farm fit together as a system. This will be an informal, discussion-led session with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share experiences.

Talks & discussion on tree and livestock health.

12:30pm Lunch

A chance to relax, connect with others, and continue conversations.

1:30-3pm After lunch, we’ll have a series of short talks and open discussion, including:

· Approaches to pasture management

· Reflections from the host and others on what’s working, what’s evolving, and what to consider when adapting systems.

· Developing cheese and ice-cream enterprises

· Working within an organic system

· A balanced discussion on the realities of organic farming including opportunities, constraints, and what it means in day-to-day practice.

3pm Close and depart