Damian Carrington writes about regenerative farmers making the most of planned government subsidies for carbon-cutting measures like hedgerow restoration, changing livestock feeds or agroforestry (‘Why not start now?’ On the track to regenerative farming, 17 September).
I’m fortunate enough to have the space to embark on an estate-wide biodiversity transformation at Ewhurst Park in Hampshire. We are giving more than 450 acres to regenerative crops, as well as creating green corridors, new wildflower meadows, and beekeeping and coppicing projects.
We’re not able to commit to the subsidy scheme, which would tie us into a multi-year planting plan. Regenerative agriculture is about giving back to the land, which means observing and responding to nature, as well as experimenting and trialling approaches. If regenerative agriculture is to move into the mainstream, we need a system of grants that rewards flexibility, experimentation and listening to the land.Mandy LieuEwhurst Park, Hampshire
