Regenerative Wool in Practice.
About Rose Dale’s Organic Farm
Rose Dale’s Organic Farm is a Soil Association Organic and Pasture for Life certified family-run farm business in Buckinghamshire, UK. Rose took on the farm from her father in 2018, committing to build sustainable farming practices and resilient supply chains that are good for people and planet.
Adapting to change
In the last 3 years, Rose Dale’s Organic Farm has moved from mixed arable to pasture-fed livestock. It is home to three rare heritage sheep breeds: Gotlands, Oxford Downs, and Greyfaced Dartmoors. The introduction of these breeds has enabled the farm to diversify to a range of produce and revenue streams, showcasing what a resilient farm business looks like in the 21st century
Our collaboration
Pilio has supported Rose Dale’s Organic Farm for a number of years through:
• Synthesising Rose’s aims for the farm business into a sustainability policy statement and action plan.
• Building a sustainable UK wool supply chain from farm to product.
• Conducting a carbon and ecological baseline of the farm.
Core beliefs
Rose Dale’s Organic Farm aims to be a thriving and resilient farm business led by 3 core beliefs:
People Positive
Producing healthy, nutrient dense food without damaging nature. Playing a key role in the education of the local communities on food production, whilst supporting the distributed supply chain of the local area.
Nature Positive
Having an integrated relationship between food production and nature by land sharing — producing food whilst providing space for nature to flourish.
Climate Positive
Following regenerative farm practices that capture carbon and improve the health of soil, water, and air.
Our wool project
Pilio has been trialling the production of fully traceable premium wool that delivers on net zero commitments for farmers and brands alike. Rose’s Gotland wool has been selected for its rich colour and qualities that make it desirable for clothing textiles.
Pilio has provided Rose Dale’s Organic Farm with the tools and scientific expertise to measure the farm’s carbon and ecological baseline, evidencing the environmental providence of the wool at the farm level.
2021 baseline results
The 2021 baseline results provided insights into the state of carbon and nature on the farm at the start of the journey. It provides crucial information for where there are opportunities for action and improvement. Habitat mapping and condition assessment formed the basis of the baseline. The farm was found to be a mosaic of a range of different habitat types, including permeant pasture river meadows, semi-natural woodlands, hedgerows, and wildflower meadows — all of which have amazing potential for nature.
The carbon footprint of the farm was found to be 477 tonnes CO2 e, the equivalent of 480 flights from London to New York. When compared to other farms, Rose does not use inputs such as fertilisers and has very limited diesel use — all of which have positive impacts on the overall footprint. The largest proportion of the entire footprint was from livestock emissions, which speaks to the larger debate currently surrounding how to measure and report livestock emissions.
Species
Species on the farm included a range of different pollinator species with 15 different types of butterflies (including Gatekeepers and Small White butterflies) and 12 species of bees (including honeybees and red-tailed bumblebees). For birds, the farm was found to be of district importance, with 39 different species recorded during the baseline year either living, breeding, or feeding on the farm — counting red kites, goldfinches, skylarks, and meadow pipits.
Habitats
The key recommendation from the baseline surveys was to increase the coverage of habitats and manage current habitats to see benefits for species. This included pollinator habitats, such as field margins and areas of wildflowers, as well as providing space for birds to nest onsite.
What’s happened since
In the two years since the baseline was completed, Rose has continued to invest in nature on her farm and has implemented new practices based on the baseline results:
Wetlands
Wetland habitat creation, contributing to a wider landscape scale habitat project and providing essential wetted habitats for a range of plants and animals, whilst providing other ecosystem services such as water cycling and natural flood management.
Key Species
Key species enhancement including putting up bird boxes, areas for ground nesting birds, and pollinator enhancement.
Orchard trees
Planting native old orchard tree varieties including apples, pears, medlars, quinces, and plums. This is preserving the important genetics of these old trees, another valuable form of biodiversity.
Hedgerow
Diverse hedgerow creation and maintenance, providing essential habitats and connecting nature corridors for wildlife.
All of these projects will contribute to the environmental improvement of the farm. Their impact will be captured through the continued monitoring of carbon, soil health, and biodiversity through the
Habitats
Involvement in stewardship schemes and Biodiversity Net Gain, creating wildlife rich habitats such as wildflower meadows.
Community
Involvement with the local community, including school visits, to provide opportunities for people to connect with nature.
Long term impact
baseline methods in order to tell a story of change. Environmental change takes time, and Rose has committed to continue to promote and enhance nature on her farm.