Nestled in the beautiful chalk downs of Cranborne Chase, The Ferals, is a 250 acre farm, located on the River Tarrant just north of Spetisbury. For the last 50 years it has been an intensively managed mixed farm - not an easy feat on chalk soils which are notoriously porous and require significant inputs to achieve good yields.

When Akshay and Georgie, took over the farm in 2022, they wanted to create a different future for the land; one which wouldn’t require fertilisers or pesticide inputs, and intensive management; land that would eventually be managed by nature itself. Their ambition for the Ferals is a more resilient landscape, a haven for wildlife and a better future for their children and the community around them.

Taking inspiration from other farms who are already creating havens for wildlife, The Ferals is embarking on a journey of natural regeneration. This is where land is taken out of production and is allowed to go to seed with minimal or limited human intervention. Eventually a mosaic of habitats establishes which is then managed through natural processes. In the case of the Ferals, the land will transition to a patchwork of woodland, ponds, and chalk grasslands complimenting the character of the area.

The ambition of creating a mosaic of habitats is a long term aim and will take many years to accomplish. Currently 25% of the farm is being converted, and the remainder will remain in arable production. A strategy that will enable Akshay and Georgie to find their feet in this new venture, allow for mistakes and continuous learning. It will also give them time to navigate the financial incentives now available, like the government’s Environmental Land Management schemes and Fippl funding that support habitat creation and restoration. To date these funding mechanisms have been vital in enabling interventions to be carried out on the farm.

Balancing nature and human intervention

Whilst opinion is divided as to whether or not human intervention is necessary during natural regeneration, landscapes that have been radically altered by previous use may benefit from a helping hand. Some level of assistance catalyses the process of restoring biodiversity such as seeding or planting trees.

Following baseline soil sampling in 2022, the least fertile fields were taken out of production. Lower levels of nutrients support a greater variety of plants species, as those that are more vigorous are less likely to take over the land, thus encouraging a greater variety of plants to establish and in turn a greater variety of wildlife.

Planting

In Autumn 2023, agricultural production stopped on the first and second fields. Trees were subsequently planted and the second field was seeded with oil radish - a cover crop to protect the soil over winter.

At the time of writing (autumn 2024) a wildflower mix was about to be sown with calcareous flower mixed from a local donor site and more tree planting is planned this winter – all of which will be native. This exciting new step will encourage more biodiversity.

Pond creation

Water availability is often a challenge on well-draining soils, however it is essential for supporting wildlife, particularly invertebrates. Ponds lined with bettlite have recently been created at two locations on the farm – one large pond in the second field and several small ponds adjacent to the River Tarrant. The spoil has been used to create butterfly mounds.

Grazing

In a natural ecosystem, large mammals often known as “key stone species” play a vital role in shaping the landscape, and influencing other species. Most of these have gone extinct in the UK, so the introduction of grazing animals is often required. At the Ferals, animals will gradually be introduced to the farm including a native Hereford herd, 5 Exmoor ponies and Tamworth pigs.

Continuous learning

Connecting with and learning from other land managers with lived experience and experts such as the Dorset Wildlife Trust has been key in helping the farm transition. In addition Akshay is a self-confessed techy and is embracing AI to help inform their decision making and the potential interventions available. He believes that whilst there is no substitute to learning from others, this technology can be a force for good and can lead to better connections for shared learning and for nature recovery.

The road to nature recovery is not a smooth one as Akshay and Georgie are discovering. Each step of the way is an opportunity to learn, such as ensuring cover crops are topped early enough so that they don’t reseed and overwhelm the fields, or getting landscape contractors on board with the ethos that “messy” is good for wildlife.

A connected landscape is a resilient one

The more space we allow nature to thrive, the greater resilience the landscape has against the effects of climate change. Fortunately The Ferals is in good company – others along the Stour Valley are also making room for nature including the National Trust’s Kingston Lacy estate, where natural regeneration and lies adjacent to the farm. Working collectively to create nature networks along Stour Valley will create a more abundant and sustainable future for all.