The Trust has embarked on a pioneering project to assess the true cost of managing a farm for the benefit of wildlife and yet also remaining economically viable.

Thanks to funding from The Tubney Charitable Trust, the National Trust has acquired Trevean Farm - a 73 hectare (180 acre) coastal farm with strong nature conservation potential - in West Penwith, on the Land’s End peninsula in Cornwall.

The land will be managed organically with a focus on encouraging UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitats and species such as the Greater Horseshoe Bat and the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Butterfly.

Guy Clegg, the newly appointed Farm Conservation Manager who has been farming for the last 10 years and has a background in conservation, said:

'The project has the potential to point the way forward with a more holistic approach to countryside management and will incorporate a high degree of self sufficiency in terms of both food production and energy production.

'As a result the Trevean Farm project has a huge education potential for land managers, farmers, schools and the general public who are increasingly concerned with issues of conservation, local food production and sustainability.'

The Trust’s immediate priority has been establishing a small organic herd of pedigree Red Devon cattle. The cattle are the key element in this project - delivering the conservation grazing and providing a means for the project to be financially viable. Within three years, the Trust hopes to sell the beef to local restaurants and direct to the consumer.

Red Devon cattle are sufficiently hardy to thrive on rough grazing, docile enough to be easily handled and produces high quality beef. Red Devons are one of the earliest breeds of domesticated cattle in the British Isles which will fit in well with the historical landscape in West Penwith.

The farm links into the West Penwith Heath project which seeks to increase biodiversity and accessibility by re-introducing grazing.

Jon Brookes, The Trust’s Property Manager for West Penwith explained: 'This really is an exciting and groundbreaking project. It’s the first of its kind for the Trust and we hope that it will yield significant results which will not only benefit the way the Trust works, but also the wider farming community.'

The Trust has also recently secured a generous financial donation from the Tanner Trust to help with the purchase of a large geodesic dome tent to host a range of activities for visiting school groups. The donation will also cover the purchase of a polytunnel and bee hive which will enhance the sustainable credentials of the project in terms of seasonal food production and to provide further educational opportunities.

There are plans to erect a wind turbine to cover the electricity needs of the farm and farmhouse. In addition, Trevean Farm House has been fitted with Solar Panels to supply hot water. To further reduce dependency on fossil fuels the house has had new double glazed windows installed and been insulated with thick lambs wool insulation.