Building a profitable, resilient grass-based business

Practical ideas, farmer experiences and honest discussion on building a profitable, resilient grass-based business. Join the Nature Friendly Farming Network for a relaxed, farmer-led evening at The Corn Barn, exploring how practical farming decisions can support more resilient, profitable businesses. With rising input costs, increasingly unpredictable weather and changing agricultural policies, finding ways to balance productivity, profitability and environmental sustainability is more important than ever. But what does that look like in practice? Hear from local farmers Amelia Greenway of Springwater Farm, and our hosts, Ian and Yta Batchelor, as they share their experiences, approaches to farm management and the practical considerations behind their decisions. Drawing on their different farming systems, we'll explore how grassland and livestock management, soil health, biodiversity and wider business decisions can contribute to farm profitability and resilience. The conversation will consider what's working, the challenges and trade-offs involved, and how nature-friendly approaches can fit within commercially viable farming businesses. Whether you're already making changes on your farm or simply interested in exploring different approaches, join us for an informal evening of practical conversations, shared experiences and opportunities to connect with other farmers over food and refreshments. Farmer speakers Amelia and Jason GreenwayAmelia and Jason Greenway are first-generation tenant farmers running Springwater Farm on the National Trust's Killerton Estate near Exeter. They started their farming business in 2018 renting local organic pasture and took on a formal farm business tenancy in 2023 and have since won Tenant Farmer Of The Year awards. Their organic, regenerative farming approach focuses on improving soil health, supporting biodiversity and producing high-quality food while building a resilient farming business. They rear Pasture for Life-certified Highland cattle, using holistic planned grazing and conservation grazing alongside practices including agroforestry and silvopasture. Through their direct-to-consumer meat business, Amelia and Jason are exploring how nature-friendly farming, high animal welfare and a commercially sustainable livestock enterprise can work together. Ian and Yta Batchelor Ian and Yta are first-generation farmers with extensive experience of organic and conventional farming. Having started out on a Somerset County Council farm, converting a former dairy holding to organic fruit and vegetable production alongside free-range poultry, they later moved to Devon, farming organically for ten years before transitioning back to conventional production. Today, the farm combines around 70 hectares of grassland for sheep and cattle, cider apple orchards, arable cropping and woodland creation. Throughout their farming experience, Ian and Yta have prioritised crop rotation, livestock integration, cover crops and biodiversity, with decisions balancing what works for the farming business, the environment and themselves. They are particularly interested in the potential of soil biology to improve soil health, strengthen farm resilience and support more sustainable production in the face of increasingly extreme weather. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Privacy notices NFFN Privacy Notice Lloyds Privacy Notice