Regen Ben – our Agronomist and Regenerative Farming Advisor.

At Lower Blakemere Farm, it hasn’t always been easy balancing the pressure to grow food, produce top-quality seed, and still support our soil and wildlife. For years, like many farms, we’ve relied on increasing amounts of fertilisers and chemicals to support productivity and meet market demands. Shifting away from those practices is no small feat—it’s a challenge, especially when profitability and yield are on the line. But despite those pressures, we’ve always aimed to encourage wildlife, and biodiversity. So, when we listen to Regen Ben championing regenerative farming, we know that while the transition can be difficult, the path we are on with regard to soil health and working with nature rather than against it is the right one for the future of the land and the future of our family.

Composting and Bokashi: 30 Years of Commitment
At Wiggly Wigglers, we’ve been committed to composting and bokashi for over 30 years, using these methods in a garden setting and inspiring thousands of others to do the same. However, on the farm, due to the scale and complexity of seed production, we didn’t even use our own manure. It felt like the demands of large-scale farming meant we couldn’t always apply the principles we promoted in gardens. But now with Regen Bens support and experience with other farmers we’re really pleased to be transferring our  experience in composting and bokashi from a domestic setting to benefit the farm.

We’ve always known that healthy soil is the key to success, whether in a garden or on a farm. These methods have helped us recycle nutrients back into the land in a sustainable way, improving fertility without synthetic fertilisers, and there’s much more to come. It’s been challenging at times, but the long-term benefits make it all worth it. Bokashi, in particular, has been transformative in fermenting organic matter, and now we’re seeing how it can give our farm crops the same vital nutrient boost we’ve seen in gardens for years. Thanks Regen Ben :)

Enterprise Stacking: Doing It Before It Was Cool
We are very keen to progress Regen Ben’s ideas about enterprise stacking. We’ve had several enterprises on the farm already – in fact I think the Top Team at The Duchy described us to The King as the most diversified farm in their portfolio! We have Wiggly Wigglers Bad Harvest Barn and UK Mini Trucks but since Ben has been advising us we have added The Piggies who are clearing the bank and providing sausages and we have our cattle which we are selling direct in Beef Boxes and watch this space for Hens…   Our aim is for everything to work together in a way that makes the whole system stronger and more resilient.

Duchy Support:
Having the backing of The Duchy does make a difference. They’ve seen the value in regenerative farming, not just for farmers, but for the planet. Their support has allowed us to push ahead with methods we’ve believed in for years—composting, enterprise stacking, reducing chemical inputs—knowing that we’re part of something bigger. It’s not just about farming anymore; it’s about restoring ecosystems, building resilience, and creating a future where farming is truly sustainable.

Pushing Through the Challenges
We won’t sugarcoat it—it isn’t easy. With the pressure for profit, to grow seed crops, and stick to sustainable methods, we’re facing plenty of challenges. But we are seeing the benefits of working with nature rather than battling against it. Reducing ploughing, cutting back on chemical use, and embracing diversity in farming have helped us improve our soil with the aim of  farm resilience.

For more on Regen Ben’s check out Townsend Farm https://www.regenben.com/