Join us on Wednesday, 24th of April, for a Pasture and Profit farm walk, kindly hosted by Dougal Hosford on Travellers Rest Farm.
Dougal farms Travellers Rest with his son Fred and brother George. It is currently approximately 550ha arable, with 150ha in Stewardship Schemes, including floristic margins, grasslands, river meadows and fattening pasture, with herbal ley in arable rotation. There are also 65 Angus cross sucklers, all home bred and finished on grass.
On the farm walk, Dougal will talk us through his regenerative farming systems, focusing on aspects such as mob grazing, soil health, 100% pasture systems, conservation grazing and the routes to market he has been able to create with his finished cattle.
Following the farm walk, there will be an introduction from Pasture for Life to the Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes of Dorset project, with further details about what it is setting out to do over the coming year and how to get involved.
Lunch will be a provided which celebrates the produce from the farm, and local suppliers.
Schedule:
10.15 Welcome, with tea and coffee
10.30 Farm walk led by Dougal Hosford
12:30 Introduction to the Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes project in Dorset
1:00 Lunch, followed by networking
2:30 Finish
Location:
Travellers Rest Farm
Blandford
DT11 0QG
Date:
Wednesday, 24th April
Time:
10.15 am – 2:30 pm, including lunch
Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes programe
"Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes," supported by Dorset National Landscapes and funded through the Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund (FiPL), welcomes all farmers in Dorset’s Protected Landscape. The program is launching a free mentoring and events initiative, specifically designed for farmers interested in nature-friendly or regenerative farming practices. We believe that farmers learn best from other farmers and throughout the next year, the project will organise farmer-led, on-farm educational events.
Farmers in these regions can engage with the project in three ways:
Overall Program Participation: Join a comprehensive series of on-farm events and webinars, covering diverse topics determined by participant feedback.
Mentorship Opportunity: 14 farmers within the program can be paired with a trained, experienced farmer mentor. The mentor will visit the farm and provide ongoing support as farmers explore and implement new livestock management approaches. If you'd like to sign up please complete this form.
Free Membership: Non-members receive free Pasture for Life membership (valued at £120) until the end of March 2025. This includes access to learning opportunities from farmers across the UK.
Farms in Dorset’s National Landscape aren't obligated to seek mentoring. All farmers are encouraged to join, whatever your farming practice, whether making adjustments or seeking knowledge. Participation doesn't commit to specific practices; the initiative supports farmers at any stage in their journey.
To find out more please visit Pasture for Life or contact Sarah at dorset@pastureforlife.org
