Organic silvo-arable agroforestry on Whitehall Farm

Silvo-arable agroforestry, the practice of planting trees between crops, has been largely successful on the 125 hectare Whitehall Farm, reportedly reducing soil erosion and increasing agro-biodiversity. Agro-ecology principles have also been embraced to attract wildlife including pollinators and pest predators.

Nature-based Intervention:

In 2009, Stephen and Lynn Briggs started planting rows of apple trees 27 metres apart, leaving enough space for farm machinery to cultivate cereals in the alleys between them. The apple trees are intended to provide several benefits to the farming system including improved soil quality and greater resilience through crop diversity. Furthermore, the direction of the planted tree rows allows for optimised sun exposure during the day for all crops, extending harvesting possibilities throughout the year. Agro-ecology principles were also adopted throughout the farm including leaving 15% of the area as habitat for pollinators and pest predators. Wildflower strips beneath trees attract pollinators and grassy flower-rich buffers around the fields protect the soil from being washed into watercourses. Ditches dug are deliberately left unkempt to provide habitat for wildlife. Seed mix strips are sown to feed farmland birds.

Overview of context and outcomes:

Soils at Whitehall Farm are particularly susceptible to wind erosion, a challenge that was exacerbated by the destabilised quality of the soil prior to the introduction of agroforestry principles. The tenants managed to secure a 15 year tenancy as opposed to the traditional 3-4 year tenancy to allow significant time for their agroforestry investments and efforts on the 125 hectare plot to succeed.