Julie Palmer

Bradworthy, Devon

A working farm where the flora and fauna are nurtured

Field Irish Farm is a 120 acre farm that was passed to me after my uncle’s death in 2019, with the promise that the farm would carry on and the flora and fauna would continue to be nurtured.

Hay cutting old style

The meadows we have are original pre war meadows, full of wildflowers. Hedges are allowed to grow with large overhanging trees used as shelter for the cattle and wild deer.  In the summer the noise from insects and birds is amazing

Hare

We have a herd of pedigree belted galloway and riggit cattle which we use for conservation grazing. No fertilisers, or chemicals are used and fields are not cut until seed heads have dried. Old machinery has been brought back into use and the size means that we can keep soil compaction to a minimum. We intend to show that old ways of farming can still work and produce outstanding quality meat without harming the natural environment.

Visiting Pheasants are welcome

Other "Me and my Meadow" stories

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Charlotte Oliver

South Hams

Charlotte's managing her fields as hay meadows and is rewarded with orchids, sweet hay and a host of insects, moths and butterflies.

Angela and Paul Brassley

Ilsington

The transformation of a farmed field into a nature reserve.

Green-winged orchids at Deer Park Farm

Audrey Compton and John Whetman

Deer Park Farm, Chudleigh

Nearly 40 acres of ancient grassland and hay meadows, supporting over 350 species of wild flowers, winner of the 'England Meadow and Grasslands Award' in 2015.

Stella Tracey and Rob Hubble

Shaugh Prior, Plymouth

A garden and adjoining 1 acre meadow have developed into a biodiversity hot-spot