Case Studies

Leyonne Farm – Fowey Valley

Project Detail

This Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) grant recipient was awarded funding to transform a dairy unit into a landscape with increased tree canopy cover, greater biodiversity, enhanced capacity for carbon sequestration and introduce a range of additional environmental benefits across the farm.

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Leyonne is an example of a landscape-scale project delivering a number of management interventions on a commercial dairy holding within a protected landscape. It will make a real impact by integrating a range of management changes and will be seen as a pilot project for other holdings across the Fowey Valley.

Over a period of 3 years this project aims to provide a case study to demonstrate management interventions that reduce environmental impact and provide multiple benefits while remaining commercially productive agricultural systems.

Enhancements will include:
● Establishment of additional wood pasture, a priority habitat in the Fowey Valley.
● Creation of scrub blocks and grazing systems to maximise wildflower establishment.
● Transformation of intensively managed pasture into a ‘parkland-style’ landscape.
● Experimental agroforestry trialing mineral rich ‘tree hay’ forage.
● Overseeded grass leys improving soil capacity to store water, providing flowers for pollinators, and managing water runoff.

Baseline surveys and ongoing monitoring against these as the project becomes established will provide strong evidence for the benefits of expanding these measures across the farm as part of a long term management vision.
The education and knowledge sharing opportunities will leave a strong legacy of learning for future projects across the Fowey Valley and beyond.

Benefits

Our Primary Purpose is to conserve and enhance Natural Beauty.

Our priority is to lead and support projects which deliver under these four key categories.

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benefit to people

People

There are more opportunities for people to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape.
There are increased opportunities for more diverse audiences to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape.

benefit to place

Place

The quality and character of the landscape is reinforced or enhanced.
There is an increase in the resilience of nature friendly sustainable farm businesses, which in turn contributes to a more thriving local economy.

benefit to nature

Nature

There is a greater area of wildlife rich habitat.
There is greater connectivity between habitats.
Existing habitat is better managed.
There is an increase in biodiversity.

benefit to climate

Climate

More carbon is stored and/or sequestered.
Flood risk has been reduced.
Better understanding among farmers, land managers and the public as to what different habitats and land uses can deliver for carbon storage and reduced carbon emissions.
The landscape is more resilient to climate change.

Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) is a 4-year programme providing grant-funding for Farmers and Landowners designed to deliver for People, Place, Nature and Climate. The programme is funded by Defra and delivered locally by Cornwall AONB.

The programme focuses on the key challenges facing farmers, land managers and communities in Protected Landscapes – helping to address the climate and biodiversity crisis, improve people’s engagement with the landscape, and support sustainable farm businesses and communities.The programme is running until March 2025.

Value of Project£60,965.78
FiPL Funding Awarded£60,965.78
Quote from Landowner/ Funding Recipient“This project has given us the confidence to try something new. We are excited about the potential of silvopasture and persuaded of the benefits of diversity in the leys. And this funding stream is more flexible than most”