Mixed up farm plans: Mixed farming needs mixed planning

Join us for a winter farm walk at Ruth Ashton-Shaw’s farm to dig into what “whole farm planning” really looks like on a small mixed holding.

Mixed farms juggle a lot at once: livestock and crops, wildlife and water, cashflow and compliance. With new whole farm plan requirements on the horizon, many farmers are asking how these plans can be useful tools rather than just more paperwork. Plus, those at the smaller end of farming wondering how they make the administration demands scalable!

Over one and half to two hours on Ruth’s farm, we’ll:

• Walk the farm and look at how she manages a small mixed system with multiple outcomes in mind – food, nature, climate and family life.
• Talk through practical examples of mapping fields, habitats, infrastructure and risks in a way that works for a smaller unit.
• Explore how whole farm plan requirements can slot into everyday decision-making, rather than sitting in a drawer.
• Share experience between us (farmers and growers) on what’s realistic, what’s helpful and what still feels messy or unclear.
• Expect an informal, honest conversation – plenty of questions, discussion and time to look at real fields and real compromises. Plus some soup indoors, made by Ruth's mam.

Who is this event for?

This event is ideal for:

• Farmers, smallholders and crofters running (or planning) small mixed farms
• Anyone wrestling with whole farm plans and how they apply to smaller or more complex holdings
• Advisors and supporters working with mixed or nature-friendly farm systems

You don’t need to have a finished plan in place – just an interest in making planning work better for your farm.