These two case studies from National Trust tenant farms explain more about sustainable farming.

These could form the basis of course work or a project. Have a look at 'Countryside and environment' for further information relating to farming and land use.

Bank House Farm - achieving environmental gains

Bank House Farm, is a 131.243 hectare (324.30 acre) organic smallholding overlooking Morecambe Bay, with a strong bias for nature conservation.

Bank House Farm is a limestone grassland farm on the edge of Morecambe Bay in Lancashire, which became organic in the late 1980s. It sits in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which attracts around a million visitors each year, and is criss-crossed by a number of fine footpaths that see a lot of recreational use. Additionally, it is an Elm Farm demonstration farm - an exemplar organic farm which can be studied by other farmers wishing to consider organic practice.

Current Bank House Farm organic practices:

• No fertilisers or sprays allowed
• Soil improvement through farmyard manure applied at key times of the year
• Flock of around 40 breeding home-grown sheep for organic production
• Herd of around 30 breeding cows plus calves for organic production
• Stock welfare is paramount

In April 2002 the Trust took a further step towards greater environmental gain by increasing the size of the farm by adding a number of our key wildlife sites in the Arnside and Silverdale area to the tenancy agreement. These sites are of extremely high nature conservation interest for their limestone habitats (grassland, scree, scars, scrub, fen and woodland) and the main aim of the changes has been to secure the long-term biodiversity of the whole area. Currently, not all the additional sites have organic designation, so part of the management arrangements are geared towards conversion in the next few years under the Organic Farming Scheme.

All the sites included in the Bank House Farm tenancy now have management plans, which put their conservation and wildlife needs first. However, the increased biodiversity is completely dependent upon flexibly controlled grazing by livestock.

The farm currently produces high quality beef and lamb. These products are not only organic, but also free range - some organic meats are not necessarily free range - and therefore the animal welfare standards are second to none.

These changes have come about as part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which has allowed us to take opportunities provided by DEFRA through its agri-environment payment system.

The Trust receives payment for farming the sites in an environmentally friendly way. This is passed on to the tenant as a management fee, which supplements the income from the farm. Longer term, the intent is for the farm to be fully economically viable, by diversification into farm gate sales of the meat, the development of the learning opportunities provided by the landscape, wildlife and management, and farm-based holidays.

Bank House Farm lies in the heart of the village of Silverdale, and as such we want to retain its characteristic as a village-centre working farm - one of only two remaining here. The new tenant, Martin, was born in Silverdale but until recently worked on a conventional farm 20 miles away, and with his wife and six children, is looking forward to being part of the community.

Furthermore, the amenity value of the area is high in part because of the historical pattern of woodland, orchards, field systems, walls and hedges, which are of cultural significance. The management of farm sites will also ensure that these are maintained.

Holistically, Bank House Farm is an excellent example of an environmentally sustainable mechanism for farming. It is managed based on site-specific needs and the well cared for stock maintain these sites, which are a boon for wildlife and are attractive to live amongst and visit. Additionally it also provides valuable learning opportunities and raises awareness about the critical issues surrounding farming and sustainable management and conservation of the countryside.

Management of Jack Scout: an example of conservation grazing

Jack Scout, a 6.4 ha limestone headland under the Bank House Farm tenancy, is a mix of scrub, woodland and herb-rich grassland. It is a popular site with visitors as it has coastal access and is also a good breeding site for a number of butterflies. Of particular interest is the High Brown Fritillary, which has the dubious distinction of having suffered the most dramatic decline of any British butterfly in recent years. It also contains important areas of cowslips, which have also declined in number, and are the food plant of several species of butterfly.

To maintain Jack Scout, the site needs to be grazed by cattle to remove dead plant matter at the end of winter in order for new growth to survive, but also to prevent the scrub and bracken from taking over and causing a loss of plant diversity. However, this has to be carefully done, as overgrazing will remove the sensitive flora that creates the ideal butterfly habitat.

The Jack Scout management plan allows grazing by six cattle for most of the year, the exception being a period of eight weeks between May and July when the butterflies are breeding. Around 20 sheep can be grazed in the last couple of months of the year, but have to be removed in January to protect the cowslips.

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Sustainable farming at Elbury Farm

At Elbury Farm, on the Killerton Estate in Devon, tenants John and Sue Kittow are developing a mixed farming system typical of a West Country farm. The system will combine modern farming techniques with traditional farming practices, each enterprise being essential to the success of the others. Their approach to farming is wholly organic with even their dairy cattle being treated with homeopathic preventative remedies where possible.

The main farming enterprises are dairy, beef and sheep. Dairy is the main livestock enterprise with over 120 Friesian cows milked. Cows are put to Aberdeen Angus bulls and calving takes place from November through to March. Animals are fed on home-produced silage, hay and concentrates as much as possible. Strip and rotation grazing help with the management of the land.

Two-hundred and seventy breeding ewes are kept at Elbury, with lambing occurring during January, April and September. Sheep are an integral part of the farming system at Elbury. They are grazed in rotation, which helps benefit both the sheep and young stock by controlling parasites; sheep are also very important for the establishment and management of clover and are used to control weeds.

In addition to the livestock John and Sue manage 42 acres of cereals, grown specifically as animal feed. These crops are grown on a traditional rotation regime with wheat in winter, peas in spring, followed by barley, then three years of red clover and rye grass. Silage is produced in late May and early June with haymaking taking place in July. Thatching reed is also grown on the farm and once cut and combed can be used on many of the Trust's buildings on the Killerton estate.

Sustainable management is always to the fore and waste products are used where possible. Dirty water is collected in reservoirs and used to irrigate the land during the summer months, farm yard manure is used to fertilise arable crops and slurry is spread on the grass.

As part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, John and Sue will be reviving traditional countryside crafts and using them to enhance the farm, for example:

• Reintroduction of traditional hay and water meadows
• Using pollarded and coppiced timber from riverside trees
• Maintaining the meander of the river by using living willow hurdles
• Employing traditional hedge-laying techniques rather than using a mechanical flail to trim them
• Developing a network of field margins to encourage beetle banks for natural pest control.

For John, Sue and the National Trust the main objective of the farm is to provide access to the public so that they can see how food is produced on a traditional mixed farm, and consequently reinforcing the link between plot and plate. John and Sue are keen for schools to visit their "truly integrated farming system" and will welcome any visits. Facilities are currently basic, but there are plans for an education base to be built within the next 12 months.

For further information, contact John and Sue Kittow, Elbury Farm, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, tel 01392 462817.