Not enough sun, plenty of rain… and a long list of crops we’d like to grow.

So we sat down and faced reality.

Chris Taylor is our agronomist and regenerative farming advisor, working with us to move Lower Blakemere Farm forward in a way that improves soil health and protects profit.

A Nuffield Scholar, Chris brings a global perspective but a very practical mindset. His focus here is managed change: reducing reliance on inputs where it makes sense, improving resilience, and making sure any move towards regeneration stacks up agronomically and financially.

One idea Chris has been pushing is whether we can grow some of our own birdseed crops on the farm. This morning we sat down to work through what might actually work for us – bearing in mind our Herefordshire reality: plenty of rainfall, limited sunshine, and no appetite for forcing crops that don’t suit this place. It’s not about ripping up the rulebook. It’s about asking better questions, making informed decisions, and building a system that’s resilient, profitable and right for the long term.