THE first LEAF farm in the North York Moors national park has been officially launched.

Stoupe Brow Cottage is a 270-acre traditionally mixed family farm, managed by Mr Will Terry, and his mother.

LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is a charitable organisation working to develop and promote integrated farm management. It demonstrates how sensible farming practices can be both financially viable and beneficial to the environment and wildlife.

The Terry family have owned and farmed Stoupe Brow since 1966 and also employ Mr Brian Harrison as a craftsman.

The farm lies next to a spectacular moorland site of special scientific interest which is noted for its upland bird population and is also part of the coastal SSI.

The land includes an industrial archaeological site, having been home to alum workings in the 1820s.

The family developed integrated farm management naturally.

In the early years continuous barley was grown but it gradually changed to a more balanced rotation. Today the farm grows winter wheat and barley, winter oats and beans, peas, and has a small area in set-aside.

The family also runs a mostly lowland-bred commercial flock of 430 sheep whose replacement ewes are bred on farm.

Animal welfare is given the utmost priority, with spacious and well lit and ventilated housing for lambing.

All the lambs are sold direct to the abattoir to minimise the time from farm to slaughter.

Some 88 acres of combinable crops are grown with the rotation designed to help prevent the build up of weeds, pests and diseases and to improve the soil structure.

A minimum cultivation approach is followed, although the plough is used where it can help with weed and pest control. Farmyard manure is used, along with nitrogen, to reduce the use of inorganic fertilisers.

Soils are sampled every three or four years and the crops are walked regularly by Mr Terry and his agronomist.

Sprays are applied only where needed and a weed wiper allows weeds in grassland to be spot treated.

Today standards continue to rise, with all farm activities meticulously recorded. Mr Terry has also qualified in crop protection and nutrition while Mr Harrison has attended a range of courses ranging from first aid to combine maintenance.

The farm is developing a wildlife management plan to look at balancing the needs of farming and native wildlife.

The Terrys and Mr Harrison are delighted to have joined LEAF as a demonstration farm for farmers and others to visit.

While obviously having to be commercially viable to carry on farming and help the environment and wildlife, Mr Terry said there was more to farming than simply making money.

"This farm is our home and we are all three closet conservationists - we like to see wildlife about the farm."

The launch was a high-powered affair with Mr David Arnold-Foster, chief executive of English Nature; Mr Michael Paske, vice president of the NFU, and Mr David Richardson, chairman of LEAF all in attendance.