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Hedley Poplar Ltd (Poplar Farm)
Owner: Andrew Charlton
Location: Kings Lynn
Enterprises/Activities: Organic farmer (cereals, potatoes and vegetables), consultant and contractor
History/background:
Hedley Poplar has 125 acres under organic status and as part of the Coutryside Stewardship Scheme. A further 38 acres were acquired in 2004 and are conventionally managed with cereals, sugar beet and beans.
Since taking over what was essentially open fen land with no landscape features other than ditches, organic certification has been achieved, followed by a programme to enhance the habitat provided by the land. This resulted in an award from landlord, Norfolk County Council for the contribution the land has made towards wildlife.
7,000 willows have been planted, of a type preferred by basket makers, which will provide a small income stream in the future. In addition six-metre grassland field margins have been established along all external boundaries, part of which also includes a new permissive bridleway around roughly half of the farm.
An RSPB survey in 2002 revealed 13 red and amber list species of birds on the land. A number of smaller conservation measures have assisted with the creation of a habitat including: planting of a small deciduous copse on waste ground; placing of an owl nesting box and three small bird nesting boxes; the maintenance of areas of field margin with host plant species for natural aphid predators (principally nettle).
Andrew Charlton runs Hedley Poplar Farm as well as offering support and advice to others, based on his experience, including: application form filling, feasibility studies, Soil Management Plans; establishment of grassland margins, beetle banks, other landscape features; tree and hedgerow planting; establishment of waymarkers, footbridges etc to allow public access; grass mowing, hedge cutting and any other maintenance requirements
Andrew, 44, is assisted by his son when he's home from university and has been farming organically since 1996. They moved to Hedley Poplar in 2000, prior to which they had a small grassland farm producing organic table poultry for local butchers.
Andrew combines running the farm with studying part time for an MBA in Agriculture & Food at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester and freelance project management work, offering to other farmers the chance to benefit from environmental work and funding schemes he has completed both as an adviser and specialist contractor where required.
Website: www.hedleypoplar.co.uk (opens in a new window)
Tel: 01366 388222
Address: Poplar Farm, Show Bridge, Kings Lynn PE34 3NP
Email: andrew@hedleypoplar.co.uk