Revive
Found on the Wessex Downs in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty our farm ranges across gently rolling grassland, flower meadows and ancient woodlands. Managed holistically with a combination of organic and regenerative agriculture practices our aim is to protect and enhance the Natural Capital of our land so that every Herne garment has a net positive effect on the countryside.
Regenerative Agriculture
Life on Earth starts with the soil and we believe that properly managed livestock are key in developing, regenerating and maintaining healthy soils.
Our flocks grazing plan is designed to emulating the grazing patterns found in nature. Patterns that have been found to stimulate deep rooting grasses, increase biodiversity, aerate the soil, sequester carbon and build resilience to climate fluctuation through improved water storage.
But the work does not stop with just our sheep. We have planted thousands of trees and miles of hedgerows and linked wildlife habitats with safe, undisturbed corridors of cover across the farm.
Wildlife
Wildlife is at the very core of what we do on our farm. We aim not just to conserve biodiversity but improve it, leaving large areas of our farm untouched for wildlife. We have planted tens of acres of flower meadows for our bees, encouraged nesting habitat for farmland birds, built barn owl boxes and sown wild seed mixes to provide winter forage for birds and mammals.
A survey by The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust found over 72 different species of bird present on the farm. Merlins, Tree-Creepers, Lapwings and Bullfinches to name but a few! Through carefully planned conservational practices we are seeing increases in biodiversity and the ecological health of our land.
Honey
With bee numbers rapidly declining in the countryside we decided to introduce four new hives three years ago.
Situating the new hives next to the flock’s pasture the wild flower meadows now buzz throughout the summer months as the bees collect nectar from far and wide. We harvest just a small sustainable harvest of the delicious light floral honey they produce, leaving plenty for the hives over winter.
Our honey is available each year at the end of the summer harvest from our website.
Planning for the Future
Planning and providing for future has been a key sustainability strategy for our land. We invest in cutting edge modern technology to reduce emissions and improve efficiency, recently the addition of battery powered equipment used across the farm and over 115kva of solar power installed to provide a renewable power supply to our farm buildings.
Holistically we are preparing for the inevitable effects of climate changes warmer temperatures and reduced rainfall; by creating dew ponds and water collections for wildlife, planting drought resistant trees for cover and forage and selecting grasses with longer tap roots that withstand the drops in water tables during the summer months.