Farming

Farming for Recovery

The River Axe Landscape Recovery project is rooted in the reality of a working farmed landscape. Our ambition is bold, but our approach is practical: to restore nature and river health in partnership with farmers, not in opposition to food production.

The farms participating in the project – 28 in total, covering over 2,200 hectares—range from dairy and mixed holdings to low-input grassland systems. Each one has worked with our team to develop a bespoke, whole-farm Land Management Plan.

These farm plans are designed to:

  • Improve soil health, water infiltration, and nutrient management
  • Reduce phosphorus and sediment losses to the river
  • Expand and enhance on-farm habitats in field edges, riparian zones, and low-productivity areas
  • Support a viable farming future rooted in regenerative and nature-friendly practices

From Nutrient Loading to Soil Building

Excess phosphorus, compacted soils, and runoff from maize and slurry are key contributors to the River Axe’s decline. Our work will:

  • Match phosphorus inputs to crop need and reduce soil P indices over time
  • Improve soil structure across 80% of fields, guided by VESS assessments
  • Transition at least 1,200 hectares to regenerative systems including herbal leys, adaptive grazing, and buffer strips

A New Financial Model for Farmers

We aim to shift away from dependence on public subsidy alone. The project blends Defra funding with:

  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) sales
  • Green finance partnerships
  • Potential private payments for water quality or carbon services

Each farm plan includes a route to finance—tailored to eligibility and market readiness. Outcome payments are tied to real environmental change, with transparent monitoring.

Skills, Support and Peer Learning

Our approach values farmer knowledge as much as technical advice. Throughout delivery, we’ll provide:

  • Ongoing technical support from advisers
  • Training in regenerative and water-sensitive farming
  • A programme of peer-to-peer events for farmers to share learning and progress

This is not a withdrawal from production—but a transformation of how we produce. Farming here will still feed people. But it will also hold water, store carbon, and leave space for the river to breathe.

See Future Farming in the Axe Catchment for a video previously produced by the Environment Agency (working downstream of our project)