Welton Farm
DATE:
2024 / 2025
LOCATION:
Welton Farm, Dalston, Carlisle
PARTNERS:
n/a
Case studies >> Welton Farm
Producing food and environmental benefits
Aims
To diversify Welton Farm by introducing tree planting and wood pasture systems.
To increase farm resilience and improve the welfare of livestock, particularly sheep.
To contribute to climate change mitigation while continuing food production.
The Welton Farm Tree Planting Project arose from Jim's desire to use trees to improve the farm's health, resilience, and land management practices. Jim, a tenant farmer, had been farming at Welton Farm for three years after previously managing land near the Haweswater Reservoir. He was keen to explore ways to improve the land, particularly the wet ground, and enhance the farm’s environmental benefits while continuing to graze sheep.
Jim was introduced to the concept of tree planting and woodland pasture through a presentation by Cumbria Woodlands, which led to a collaboration with Raise. The project involves planting trees on marginal land that had previously been used for silage production but was becoming increasingly unsuitable due to boggy ground and wetter summers.
The primary goal was to create a wood pasture system that would provide shelter for the sheep, improve opportunities for nature and biodiversity, and potentially serve as an educational site. The project aligns with Jim’s vision of combining food production with environmental stewardship, demonstrating that both can coexist and benefit one another.
The plan involved planting 3,350 trees across the site in a variety of ways:
· Additional hedgerows were planted with standards, linking into the existing hedge network and mature trees on the field boundaries.
· Hedge species included hawthorn, blackthorn, guelder rose, hazel, goat willow, alder, buckthorn, crab apple, with oak and sycamore as standard trees.
· Wood pasture areas were created with individual trees planted across the field using post-and-rail blocks. Species included blackthorn, guelder rose, goat willow, crab apple, sessile oak, and rowan.
· A tree-lined avenue was established, consisting of oak, sycamore, wild cherry, and bird cherry.
· A small block of mixed woodland and a low-density mixed-use area were also created.
n/a
Volunteers
3,350
Number of trees
10.54
Hectares of woodland planted
Project Impact
Contribution to Net Zero:
The tree planting project will contribute to carbon sequestration, reducing the farm's overall carbon footprint while supporting sustainable land use.
Public Access and Community Engagement:
The site is planned to be used for education about sustainable farming, lamb production, and environmental benefits.
Visitors will be able to see both the sheep production system and the new woodland pasture, showcasing how food production and environmental care can go hand in hand.
Agroforestry:
The woodland pasture system provides shelter for livestock while offering ecological benefits.
This agroforestry approach supports both farm productivity and environmental sustainability.
Nature and Biodiversity:
By incorporating wood pasture, the project enhances biodiversity by creating new habitats for wildlife and improving the ecological balance on the farm.