Neidpath Farm Walk: ‘Practical Change not perfect change’

On Tuesday 31st March SBCAN headed to Neidpath Farms, a large upland farming operation spanning 2,500 acres near Peebles, to find out about the nature friendly farming solutions being implemented there by farm manager, Matt Griffin.

‘Practical change rather than perfect change’ is Matt Griffin’s assessment of the work undertaken over the past five years at Neidpath Farms. This down-to-earth maxim was the basis for a great event held at Neidpath, hosted by Matt alongside SBCAN and Nature Friendly Farming Network. Over the course of a tour of the farm, 30 participants, drawn from a mixture of farmers and those interested in the work being done at Neidpath, were given an honest account of the changes made at Neidpath over the past five years, covering what’s worked, what hasn’t, and—just as importantly—why. It was refreshing to hear such an open account, with plenty of real-life lessons rather than just theory.

The group are shown the inside of a farm building.

We spent time looking at the composting systems, using Johnson-Su bioreactor method mix, and how that’s been working in practice. There was also a look at the innovative agroforestry project, delivered in partnership with the Tweed Forum, which has seen over 1700 native trees planted at the farm. We learned how the trees are being integrated into the farm to reduce surface run off, improve water quality, enhance biodiversity whilst also providing livestock with shelter and forage.

Matt Griffin explains an aspect of the tree planting at Neidpath Farms.

Livestock management came into the conversation too, with some good discussion around adapting grazing to better support both the farm and the environment. It was a really useful and down-to-earth session, with lots of ideas to take away and try out. This sentiment was echoed by participants at the event: ‘the way Matt was so honest about the journey of changing the system was so useful and much appreciated.’ Whilst another person present told SBCAN it had been an ‘awesome event and a fantastic chance to see theory in action. If changes are too be made then we need to see more of this.’

Thanks to Matt and Neidpath Farms, we’ll be able to share news of upcoming farm events in the near future.