A greener future for our fields
We’re excited to share that we’ve officially started work on our three-year Sustainable Farming Incentive grant – and the journey begins beneath our feet.
As part of this important land management project, we’re developing a Soil Management Plan for all the fields at Botton Village and Larchfield, two of our farming communities. The aim? To care for our land in a more sustainable, informed way – supporting both soil health and animal wellbeing, now and into the future.
110 fields – one step towards sustainability
The first stage of the project involves soil sampling across 110 fields. These samples will be tested in a laboratory to identify key nutrients and give us a clearer understanding of the condition of our soil.
This knowledge is vital. It helps us make informed decisions about how we care for our fields – including any future improvements needed to keep them healthy and productive, which in turn supports the wellbeing of the animals that graze on them.
Green Care in action
Our Green Care teams at Botton and Larchfield, along with the adults with learning disabilities we support, are leading the way on this practical and purposeful task. With guidance from a soil analysis company, they’ve learned how to take the samples correctly and are now actively out in the fields collecting them. This hands-on involvement allows the people we support to play a key role in the project, while also gaining new skills and confidence.
This is a brilliant example of Green Care in action: connecting people with the land, building practical skills, and working together on something that truly matters.
What’s next?
Once the lab results come back, Robin, our Head of the Natural Environment, and his team will run sessions to share the findings and support the development of a full Soil Management Plan. These sessions will include discussion around how we manage our grazing animals in relation to soil health, and how to use the data to guide future decisions.
Importantly, this knowledge won’t just stay with the staff team – the people we support will be involved throughout, helping shape how we care for the land they live and work on.
It’s about education, empowerment, and inclusion every step of the way.
