Farm/site name: Bickham Farm

Town/ward: Diptford

Description:

The nest boxes which were installed aim to support the house martin population which appear to be thriving in the locality. The compost loo aims to support educational visits and retreats which the farm hoped to diversify into, in order to improve farm business resilience whilst engaging people in the landscape

Items funded:

2 double cup house martin boxes for house eaves (Medium wildlife boxes), Compost loo.

Grant awarded:  £1315.82

Project value: £2,155.82

Start date: May 2023

End date: Jan 2024

Farm/site name: Molescombe Farm 

Town/ward: Chillington

Description:

A proof of concept project for the local area. With direct drilling largely unviable in South Devon as a result of the wet climate and smaller scale – alternative techniques to tackle soil erosion and runoff are welcomed. This project was to purchase a ultra-shallow tillage cultivator with an air seeder attachment, which will reduce the depth of stale seedbed preparations from the previous method, whilst also allowing a cover crop to easily be sown at the same time. Short term cover crops grown from July until October, were trailed as part of this project – chosen for rapid ground cover (Westerwolds) and brassicas which can improve soil structure (oil radish and white mustard), to increase the water retention of the soils. The impact of these cover crops on subsequent winter crops will be assessed, and shared with the local farming population with a crop walk.

Items funded: 

Vaderstad Carrier (CR500 Carrier with cross cutter discs), Turbo Jet 10 seeder, 200ha Cover Crop, Farm Visits x 4, 8 Soil Carbon Assessment Samples and 6 broad spectrum leaf analysis.

Grant awarded: £20,851.20

Project value: £48,744.00

Start date: April 2023

End date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Flete Farming Partnership

Town/ward: Holbeton

Description:

The proposed hedgerow is part of a wider holistic approach on the farm. The hedgerow providing additional farm paddocks and shelter. As well as benefiting the livestock, there will likely be a significant improvement in biodiversity, as well as a reduction in erosion and water runoff from the improved management system facilitated by the paddocks.

 Items funded: 

145m of hedge bank creation, 145m hedge bank planting, 300m fencing and 1 x gate.

Grant awarded: £9,047.10

Project value: : £9,047.10

Start date: May 2023

End date: December 2023

Farm/site name: Flete Farming Partnership

Town/ward: Holbeton

Description:

 Low density shrub planting for ponds and habitat corridors, pond creation, slot dams, wildflower seed, meadow & scrub pasture management, tree planting & guards, fencing, gates, bank creation and 6 half day consultancy fees for a bird survey

Grant awarded: 29,189.11

Project value: £36,407.38

Start date: Dec 21

End date: March 2024

Farm/Site name: Holsome Park

Town/village: Diptford

Description:

A project to improve the nature engagement of campers on the farm. This includes the creation and restoration of several pond areas to include a small platform extension to aid pond dipping for families. In addition, a bird hide will allow families to immerse themselves in nature. Guided farm walks were also supported as part of this project.

Items funded: Educational Access visits for camping families, hedgerow and tree planting works, fencing, pond creation and restoration, bird hides, area groundworks, new path, decking and hut.

Grant awarded: £19,378.67

Project value: £19,378.67

Start date: June 23

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Court Barton Farm

Town/ward: South Huish

Description:

Habitat creation for a Barn Owl Corridor at Court Barton Farm, South Huish.

A project which aims to support and encourage the native barn owl population through habitat creation involving the construction of a 600m Devon Bank to provide enhanced foraging and nesting area for field voles – the main prey of barn owls. Additionally, the established bank will prevent soil enrichment and run-off from fields neighbouring the South Huish Wetland Reserve.

Items funded:

Earth bank creation, fencing, earth bank restoration, owl boxes, and cultivated area for arable plants.

Grant awarded: £15,095.11

Project value: £15,095.11

Start date: July 23

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Ham Farm Estate

Town/ward: Loddiswell

Description: Restoration and maintenance of a traditional grazed orchard with full standards at Ham Farm.

A project aimed at improving conservation management and engagement activities including hedge laying, pruning, and coppice management. The pedestrian tractor and attachments will help improve the farm’s accessibility, making management of the farm for conservation purposes more manageable.

Items funded:

Ladder, secateurs, pruning shears, saw, bush hook, pedestrian tractor with essential accessories, delivery and training sessions, fruit trees with guards, hedgerow planting and sheep netting.

Grant awarded: £9587.02

Project value: £13,474.89

Start date: July 23

End date: March 24

Farm/site name :  T R P Raymond

Town/ward: Slapton

Description:

Project enhancing the habitats of the Gara valley wetlands and woodland to enable wildlife movement – which all connect to the Slapton Ley SSSI. Achieved through the installation of 7 silt filtration dams to provide upstream solutions to benefit the river Gara and consequently the Slapton Ley SSSI. The creation of tussocky wood pasture will also benefit water quality, whilst providing greater refuge for voles and field mice

Items funded:

Parkland tree planting, cactus tree guards, bank restoration and hedge planting, protective fencing.

Grant awarded: £7162.78

Project value: £7162.78

Start date: July 23

End  date: March 24

Farm/site name:  Hangar Marsh

Town/ward: Salcombe

Description:

Habitat restoration and enhancement at Hangar Marsh.

Led by SHDC in partnership with Parklife (CIC), to restore the community space of Hangar Marsh, and create a new “friends of Salcombe” group to manage the rare reedbed. The project includes the replacement of the dilapidated boardwalk and bird hide; as well as engagement of volunteer groups with the management of the pond and wetland to ensure long term management success

Items funded:

Community volunteer event days, reed bed restoration, woody dam creation, design and installation of interpretation panels, bird hides, boardwalk, pond management.

Grant awarded: £20,068.78

Project value: £23,457.78

Start date: August 23

End  date: March 25

Farm/site name: Village Shops Ltd

Town/ward name:  Kingsbridge

Description:

Extend and enhance a permissive footpath by 220m in order to create a circular walk, which will include the installation of a bridge to cross a stream, and a soft touch bird hide. The new section of immersive woodland trail will compliment the existing meadow trail which follows a series of ponds next to the stream.

Items Funded:

220m woodland path extension including a bridge, pond dipping platforms x 3, bird watching platform / hide, signage, printing leaflets / posters, learning days x 8 and benches x 3.

Grant awarded: £14,128.65

Project value: £14,128.65

Start date: August 23

End date: March 25

Farm/site name: Multiple locations across South Devon

Description:

Project to increase the confidence of 11 farmers when engaging with schools, ensuring the safe delivery of farm events which will also relate to the school curriculum. These farmers will then engage with 12 different schools, multiple times a year. With only 3 farms in South Devon regularly engaging with schools there is a clear opportunity for more farm engagement.

Items funded: 

Bespoke in person CEVAS course and accreditation for 12 farmers; Venue hire for CEVAS Course; On farm consultancy, education specialist time, one day per farmer; Regional education specialist support to farmers for educational visit; Educational access payments to farmers; Follow up networking event consultancy time, venue hire and refreshments; Educational resource pack for farmers and printing costs and 13 x School bursaries.

Grant awarded: £20,941.00

Project value: £20,941.00

Start date: October 23

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name:  Bantham Estate

Town/ward: Bantham

Description:

Project aims to provide wider public engagement in Bantham estate through 14 farm tours, to showcase the conservation work being undertaken by the estate.

In addition the project aims to further enhance their conservation work, through monitoring pest populations throughout the vineyard with 2 new “Trapview” Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) traps. The measurement and monitoring will eliminate the need for broad spectrum insecticides. Items

Items funded:

two moth traps, subscription, and population estimates; farm visits; CEVAS courses and transport costs to attend training in Truro.

Grant awarded: £6381.00

Project value: £7,389.00

Start date: October 23

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Butterford

Town/Ward: North Huish

Description:

Restoration of heritage assets on historic site; habitat enhancements along wetland and wooded corridors.

Reinstatement and recovery of 120m of historic stone faced ha – ha up to 3m in height, the landscape works undertaken all help to enhance the setting of a Grade II listed house, and the Grade I listed church of North Huish.

Items funded:

Ha-ha restoration – phase 1, 1 x new Ephemeral pond, 6 x silt filtration dams, 220m earth bank creation, 220m hedge planting, 440m of barbed fencing, 175m earth bank creation, 175m hedge planting, 350m of barbed fencing and 2 x historic farm visits.

Grant awarded: £64,731.79

Project value: £91,611.79

Start date: October 23

End date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Southdown Farm

Town/Ward: South Milton

Description:

Mixed improvements to farming and nature at Southdown Farm,  creating a pond for water wildlife,  concreting the yard to reduce run off, making Devon banks and hedges for wildlife and to start up a new business offering takeaway picnics promoting farm to fork and local produce.

Grant awarded: £20,916.13

Project value: £31,312,77

Start date: July 22

End  date: March 23

Farm/site name: Croft Farm

Town/Ward: Kingsbridge

Description: 

Croft Farm Resilience and Marsh Recovery Project.

Items funded:

Sea Flap, New Hedge 230m, Soil Testing and Audit

Grant awarded: £13,564.00

Project value: £15,694.00

Start date: Sept 22

End  date: Mar 23

Farm/site name: FWAG

Town/Ward: Across the whole of the National Landscape

Description: 

Project to conduct botanical surveys on 800ha of grassland across 24 farms within the South Devon National Landscape using the UK Habitat Classification methodology.

New areas of grassland were identified which could be eligible for species rich grassland maintenance/creation payments, with some areas suitable for adding to the Priority Habitat Inventory. 26ha of species rich grassland was identified, along with 119ha of good quality semi improved pasture

A workshop was provided to farmers which advised on the identification of key species which indicates species richness, as well as providing further background on species rich grassland including their management.

Items Funded:

Preparatory work (identifying sites, contacting farmers, meetings), surveys and data input, workshops, information collating and reporting post-surveys, presentation of findings.

Grant awarded: £29,322.50

Project value: £29,322.50

Start date: Feb 24

End date: Oct 24

Farm/site name: The River Gara Water Vole Reintroduction Phase 2

Town/Ward: Slapton

Description:

Following the successful release of 400 water voles over 6 months since September 2023, and observation of encouraging field signs (latrines and feeding remains), phase 2 will reintroduce a further 400 animals in Slapton tributary – the River Start. Phase 2 will consolidate the population in the area, maximising the chance of breeding success and dispersal into the neighbouring river systems

More information: https://www.thehabitatgroup.uk/river-gara-water-vole-reintroduction-project

Items Funded:

Feed and bedding for animal breeding, water supply, transport, labour, release, overwintering, surveys, reports, trail camera.

Grant awarded: £11,415.19

Project value: £14,268.19

Start date:  Feb 24

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Foxharris Farming

Town/Ward: Newton Ferrers

Description: Improving the resilience of organic farming system and creating a community composting facility for the villages of Yealmpton, Newton, and Noss.

The improved compost facilities will replace the current labour intensive turning of the manure, which is inefficient and results in a large release of greenhouse gases. The new system will aerate static piles of compost to create a stable nutrient rich compost, with fewer nutrient losses and a greater proportion of fungi to benefit soil microbial health. Some of the compost will be further

Items funded:

CFT x 2 bespoke build, digital trinocular microscope, temperature sensors, sensor kits for aerated piles, aeration pipes and blowers, wood chipper hire, handlings bays, container for worm breeding, off-grid solar kit, educational visits, and PAS100 certification training.

Grant awarded: £28,128.63

Project value: £54,965.80

Start date: Feb 24

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Ham Farm

Town/Ward: Loddiswell

Description: The installation of 38 leaky dams across 4 farms within the lower catchment of the Avon. The scheme will develop natural flood management to mitigate the impact of increasing flood events caused by climate change during high rainfall events, contributing to reduced peak volume of flood water entering the Avon river. Interventions at landholdings representing key tributaries of the Avon will have added benefits in reducing runoff of agricultural pollutants such as phosphate into the estuary, and create large areas of high quality wetland habitat for biodiversity.

Items Funded: 

38 leaky dams across four project sites, volunteer supervision, ecological surveys (water voles and dormice) across sites, consultation and design fees, bramble control and clearance work.

Grant awarded: £23,317.42

Project value: £20,433.00

Start date: Dec 23

End  date: Jan 24

Farm/site name: Bantham Estate

Town/Ward: Bantham

Description: 

New equipment to aid the management of the vineyard canopy to further the vineyard’s ambition of achieving sustainable wine certification through natural pest control measures.

Items funded:

Provitis leaf remover, blower, and trimmer.

Grant awarded: £13,031.58

Project value: £43,438.60

Start date: Dec 23

Enddate: Jan 25

Farm/site name: J A Darke Ltd

Town/Ward: Chillington

Description:

Provision of 4 educational visit incentives to support the farm with its engagement with the local school (Stokenham primary) and community groups which include scouts and the young farmers club. Helping improve the transparency of farming, and understanding of farm-fork processes.

Items Funded:

4 X ED1’s

Grant awarded: £1,452.00

Project value: £1,452.00

Start date: Feb 24

End date: March 25

Farm/site name: Scobbiscombe Farm

Town/Ward: Kingstone

Description:

Rural farm gym (“Farming Fit”) which engages 40 locals in gym and PT sessions each week. FiPL supported additional equipment to allow more participants to engage, and greater diversity of ages. In the absence of public transport and a nearby leisure centre this rural gym is a tremendous local asset.

https://www.facebook.com/farmingfitscobbiscombe/

Items funded: Bumper plates and bar, 10 rubber mats (120cmx60cm) For individual exercises (stretch/core), 5 sets of dumbbell weights, 8 heavy duty mats (6ftx4ft) Flooring, Assault bike, Gym display timer, Exercise and Arthritis course and Obesity and Diabetes course.

Grant awarded: £1394.93

Project value: £2996.37

Start date: July 23

End date: Feb 24

Farm/site name: Devon Rural Skills Trust

Town/Ward: Tuckenhay

Description: 

Funding provided support for the landowner so they were able to host the annual hedge laying event – which encourages those creating valuable habitats whilst also advertising the career opportunity to others.

Items Funded:

185m of hedge laying, 185m of sheep fencing, 2 events (1 prep day with volunteers, 1 competition day) and Solar energiser.

Grant awarded: £4,619.15

Project value: £4,619.15

Start date: Dec 23

End date: March 24

Farm/site name: Carswell Farm

Town/Ward: Holberton

Description: 

Provide support so a second school (Holbeton Primary) can engage with the farm day visits. The visits relate to the school curriculum, and provide a fantastic opportunity for children to understand farm-fork processes, and how farms are essential for countryside ecology to flourish.

Items funded:

5 X ED1 visits

Grant awarded: £1,770.00

Project value: £1,770.00

Start date: Sept 23

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: Bantham Estate

Town/Ward: Bantham

Description: 

The project replaced a viewing platform which was rotten and unsafe. Devon’s Disabled Ramblers therefore provided advice on how best to improve accessibility for all. The new viewing platform allows wheelchair users to enjoy the trail and view the iconic Jenkins quay.

Items funded: 

Viewing platform complete replacement – all materials and labour funded.

Grant awarded: £3,836.00

Project value: £3,836.00

Start date: Dec 23

End date: Feb 24

Farm/site name: South Devon National Landscape

Town/Ward: Start Point

Description:

A project to duplicate, update and relocate the interpretation boards located at the Hallsands lost village, to a new view point at Start point car park. The previous site is unsafe as a result of cliff erosion. From the new position it will still be possible to see the remains of the lost village of Hallsands, where 37 houses were lost as a result of coastal erosion. This project was in collaboration with the South West Coast Path.

Items Funded: 

6 X interpretation boards to be installed at Start Point

Grant awarded: £3,853.05

Project value: £15,412.20

Start date: Jan 24

End date: March 24

Farm/site name: Oak Barton Farm

Town/Ward: Brownston

Description:

Equipment to aid a small start up farm to create circular agro-ecological systems aided by funded rotational compost bays, chicken coop to be rotated around a new orchard which will also utilise waste produce, and irrigation equipment. The existing polytunnel frame will receive a new polytunnel film in order to maximise production from the structure.

Items funded:

Website and logo x1, Herb course x1, Volunteer tools, Water filter, Farm visit x3, Chicken Coop, Chicken fence – 100m, Compost bins, Polytunnel film and Polytunnel irrigation.

Grant awarded: £3,351.16

Project value: £5,687.19

Start date: Dec 23

End  date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: South Devon Connectivity CS Facilitation Group

Town/Ward: Dittisham

Description:

This project works with experts from Orchardlink, and a nursery stock orchard owned by Erika Pilkington, in order to translocate 30 “Dittisham plum” suckers to 6 new orchards owned by local farmers. These farmers will all be educated in the management of Dittisham plums to ensure there are new nursery orchards to ensure the variety survives into the future; thereby ensuring heritage varieties are not lost.

Items funded:

C Staniland, R Baker- Plum expert and allowing for 3 monitoring visits, E Pilkington Growing on suckers, John Innes potting compost, 5lt pots, 100gms Bonemeal per tree at planting, Mulch compost – pref spent mushroom compost, Guards, Rebar, Tree Spirals, Soil sampling (7 samples) and Project Coordination 55hrs.

Grant awarded: £4,512.82

Project value: £4,512.82

Start date: Dec 23

End date: Jan 25

Farm/site name: CJ & HM Billington Farming

Town/Ward: Loddiswell

Description:

 A length of the historic “primrose” trainline has been reopened for permissive access as a result of the felling and pollarding of ash trees which were suffering from Ash dieback and consequently creating an liability risk for the landowner.

Items Funded:

Ash pollarding, felling and site clearance (fell 15 smaller trees some multistemmed, and pollard 2 larger trees)Coordination 55hrs.

Grant awarded: £5,000.00

Project value: £5,474.00

Start date: Jan 24

Enddate: Feb 24

Farm/site name: Precision Grazing LTD

Town/Ward: The whole of the South Devon National Landscape

Items funded:

10X £380 ‘team member’ memberships

Grant awarded: £3,040.00

Project value: £3,040.00

Start date: Jan 24

End  date: Feb 24

Farm/site name: A & L Farming, Court Barton

Town/Ward: Harberton

Description:

Provided a valuation of the costs for the restoration of a large listed threshing barn in the village of South Pool. A quote was successfully obtained which has allowed the restoration to progress further.

Items funded:

Quantity surveyor to manage the Pre-tender and Tender of Quotes for the restoration of the Threshing barn.

Grant awarded: £2,800.00

Project value: £2,800.00

Start date: Dec 23

End date: March 24

Farm/site name: C J Coyte

Town/Ward: Modbury

Description: 

Scraping away and removed topsoil to a depth of 6 inches, in order to remove nutrients from 3 sites which provide tourist accommodation, and allow the successful establishment of new wildflower meadows.

Items Funded: 

3 X site scrape and wildflower seeds.

Grant awarded: £1,426.44

Project value: £2,052.30

Start date: Nov 23

Enddate: Feb 24

Farm/site name: Carswell Farm

Town/Ward: Holberton

Description: 

An educational venue installed nearly 60m2 of acoustic absorption panels, and 40 blackout blinds – to improve the engagement and experience of visiting school children. The farm has more than 25 visiting school groups every year.

Items funded:

Absorption panels, energy light bulbs and green magic, blinds and builder.

Grant awarded: £4,684.75

Project value: £7,807.92

Start date: Feb 24

End  date: March 24

Farm/site name: Orchard Farm South Devon

Town/Ward: Mothecombe

Description: 

Establish 3 new wildlife ponds and install 6 leaky dams to create more wetland habitat behind Mothecombe beach. Wool knitwear design protypes to be made to provide an opportunity to add value to the small flock of 30 agroecological Ryland sheep – whilst promoting local wool, fibres and local circular systems.

Items funded:

2 Educational access visits, 3 Ponds, 6 Dams, Moth Trap, Wool Knitwear Design/prototypes

Grant awarded: £5,192.66

Project value: £6,379.53

Start date: Feb 24

End date: March 25

Farm/site name: Southdown Farm

Town/Ward: Marlborough

Description: 

Provision of a virtual fencing system to enable the farmer to set grazing parcels without the need for permanent field fences – which would be more expensive to install, dangerous to install, and visually intrusive. Key species rich grassland on the coast will be grazed safely and easily without conflict with humans/dogs as a result.

Items Funded:

88 x No Fence collars, 4 Farm open information sharing events.

Grant awarded: £24,912.00

Project value: £30,822.00

Start date: Jan 24

End  date: Oct 24

Farm/site name: Down Farm

Town/Ward: Chivelstone

Description: 

[Project significantly downsized due to unexpected end to farming operation – project only achieved part of the original ambitions]

Funding was sought to improve the grazing management on the farm, to create smaller parcels which can be better targeted to prevent over/under grazing. This would benefit the prevalence of coastal wildflowers and the management of scrub.

Items funded:

1040m of permanent sheep fencing, plus 1 gate

Grant awarded: £8,288.70

Project value: £8,288.70

Start date: April 23

End date: March 24