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Trees planted at ice cream farm as part of agroforestry scheme
A popular ice cream farm in Cheshire is set to introduce more flavours to its menu thanks to a selection of fruit and nut trees that have been planted on their farm this year as part of a wider agroforestry project.
Snugburys, a family run ice cream parlour based near Nantwich, operates alongside the organic grass farm business. The owners were keen to introduce more trees to the farm and worked closely with local farm advisors, ELM Associates to design a tree planting scheme that would benefit both businesses. Using funding through The Mersey Forest's Trees for Climate programme they've planted over 2,300 trees on their 45ha farm.
Cheryl Sadler, from Snugburys, first learnt about agroforestry from a project in the Amazon. After visiting a farm in Wem and a two-day visit to the Agroforestry show last year, she decided it was something she'd like to introduce on her family farm.
The walnut and hazelnut trees have been planted in rows spaced 36 meters apart, with grassland in between, which is a herbal ley, so that machinery can get around the trees to silage this several times over the summer months. Some of the fruit trees that have been planted include damson, pear and greengage.
Additional trees have also been planted around the edges of the fields and will help with biodiversity, attracting more birds, insects and other wildlife to the site.
Cheryl explained:
"Trying to farm using nature seems like a better way forward. The benefits seem so logical, you are helping the wildlife, helping the soil structure and it just seems a sustainable model to follow."
Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said:
"We can fund up to 100% of tree planting costs, plus 15 years maintenance payments. Our experienced woodland advisors can provide landowners with as much support as they need throughout the planning, funding and planting process."
Jane Atkinson, Farm Conservation Advisor at ELM Associates, said:
"We find it really easy to work with the Mersey Forest and the Trees for Climate project. It takes away a lot of the hassle for the landowner because we can put together the scheme, get all the right permissions and consents in place, and help both with the design and with planting. Working with the Mersey Forest has really enabled schemes such as this to get off the ground."
The Mersey Forest's Trees for Climate programme, which funded the project, is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA's) Nature for Climate Fund.
Landowners who are interested in transforming their land with trees, whether they have a small pocket of unused land or several hectares of farmland where they'd like to incorporate trees, are encouraged to get in touch with The Mersey Forest ahead of the planting season (October to March).
Visit our advice for landowners page for more information and to complete an enquiry form or call: 01925 816217.
For more information about Elm Associates visit: elmassociates.co.uk
Watch Cheryl and Jane talk about the scheme on our YouTube channel:
Snugburys, a family run ice cream parlour based near Nantwich, operates alongside the organic grass farm business. The owners were keen to introduce more trees to the farm and worked closely with local farm advisors, ELM Associates to design a tree planting scheme that would benefit both businesses. Using funding through The Mersey Forest's Trees for Climate programme they've planted over 2,300 trees on their 45ha farm.
Cheryl Sadler, from Snugburys, first learnt about agroforestry from a project in the Amazon. After visiting a farm in Wem and a two-day visit to the Agroforestry show last year, she decided it was something she'd like to introduce on her family farm.
The walnut and hazelnut trees have been planted in rows spaced 36 meters apart, with grassland in between, which is a herbal ley, so that machinery can get around the trees to silage this several times over the summer months. Some of the fruit trees that have been planted include damson, pear and greengage.
Additional trees have also been planted around the edges of the fields and will help with biodiversity, attracting more birds, insects and other wildlife to the site.
Cheryl explained:
"Trying to farm using nature seems like a better way forward. The benefits seem so logical, you are helping the wildlife, helping the soil structure and it just seems a sustainable model to follow."
Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said:
"We can fund up to 100% of tree planting costs, plus 15 years maintenance payments. Our experienced woodland advisors can provide landowners with as much support as they need throughout the planning, funding and planting process."
Jane Atkinson, Farm Conservation Advisor at ELM Associates, said:
"We find it really easy to work with the Mersey Forest and the Trees for Climate project. It takes away a lot of the hassle for the landowner because we can put together the scheme, get all the right permissions and consents in place, and help both with the design and with planting. Working with the Mersey Forest has really enabled schemes such as this to get off the ground."
The Mersey Forest's Trees for Climate programme, which funded the project, is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA's) Nature for Climate Fund.
Landowners who are interested in transforming their land with trees, whether they have a small pocket of unused land or several hectares of farmland where they'd like to incorporate trees, are encouraged to get in touch with The Mersey Forest ahead of the planting season (October to March).
Visit our advice for landowners page for more information and to complete an enquiry form or call: 01925 816217.
For more information about Elm Associates visit: elmassociates.co.uk
Watch Cheryl and Jane talk about the scheme on our YouTube channel:
