Return to nature saved the farm

9:55am Tuesday 1st April 2008

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JOY HENDERSON'S farm is a spectacular haven for bird life and flowers.

The rough terrain has forced three generations of her family to farm traditionally.

Now experts have found 54 species of wildflowers in one hay meadow and more than 100 overall.

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty says that one meadow could be "the most species-rich in England".

The marginal land has attracted an abundance of waders, with more birds in the ancient oak and ash woodland, where flowers includethe great burnet, from which wine was made.

The treasures of Carrs Farm - overlooking Wolsingham, in Weardale - were unknown until Mrs Henderson applied to join the new agrienvironment schemes.

Previously, the 59-hectare farm's only income was from its herd of Aberdeen Angus suckler cows and payments from five hay meadows in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS).

Mrs Henderson worked for a health agency to boost the family income but, as beef prices fell, she and her husband, Owen, had to find a way for the farm to survive.

"There was just no local market for Aberdeen Angus, but they are a native breed and we did not want to change them," she said.

Alison Hiles, a friend who used to work for the Wildlife Trust, suggested they enter the new entry level scheme and then a combined organic/ higher entry level scheme.

Mrs Henderson gave up her agency work to concentrate on the farm and today receives premium payments for the organic Aberdeen Angus that supply Waitrose.

They also supply the Weardale Quality Meat producers group and a growing number of private customers.

Natural England, which administers the agri-environment schemes, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are now involved on the farm.

RSPB officers have been thrilled with the rich birdlife, which includes lapwing, snipe, red shank, curlew and oystercatchers.

Picnic tables, hides, paths and gates are being put in the wood for the public to enjoy.

Dry stone walls are being restored and signs and information boards erected.

Footpaths include the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast and a traditional stone barn is being converted into a camping barn to sleep 20.

Mrs Henderson will provide continental breakfasts and packed lunches for walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers, universities and other groups and hopes schools will use it during the day.

The barn should open in June/July.

The new schemes mean the family can continue farming the way they always have and receive payments for doing so.

Mrs Henderson said the schemes have saved the farm and last week hosted a Natural England visit for others whose old agreements are coming to an end.