We are what we eat. Yet modern life for most involves a trip to the supermarket. A building full of produce neatly stacked. It is far removed from the world of the farmer who juggles food production with environmental protection amidst an unpredictable climate and changing government policy. Open Farm Sunday offers a unique opportunity to gain a better insight into the workings of a nature-friendly farm.
Anna Biesty’s family has owned Deepdale Farm in North Norfolk for nearly a century. In recent years the weather has become increasingly unpredictable – wet, dry, wet – affecting particularly their root crop harvest. So when the rains of 2020 caused significant damage to crops, flooding roads, carving channels up to three feet deep and displacing the topsoil, the family decided that a new approach to their land management was required. And so began their nature-friendly farming journey, moving away from the intensive farming practice that had degraded their soil. Six years on, Anna proudly owns an organic arable farm, is embracing regenerative practices, and serves as an ambassador for the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
As part of Open Farm Sunday, Deepdale Farm will open its gates on Sunday 31 May. Other farms are opening on June 7. At Deepdale, visitors will learn about a farm that is home to rare invertebrate species and has diverse habitats. There will be family-friendly activities, including unpicking an owl pellet, bat puzzles, a nature trail quiz, green woodworking and working pony demonstrations and guided farm walks.
Better soil, better yields
Last year East Anglia Bylines spoke with Biesty. She explained that the conversion to organic was challenging in the early years. “The soil quality was very poor after years of traditional farming”, said Biesty. “Our farm is not prime arable land. But with the help of the Norfolk Rivers Trust mapping the farm contours for flood risk, we have been able to redesign the farm landscape.”
The approach Biesty took was to divide the farm into five-hectare plot fields, approximately equivalent in size to ten football pitches. Employing ground cover for most of the year has helped with water retention. Through this very dry 2025, the farm has had to start irrigation. The farm now grows wheat and oats on a five-year rotation. This crop rotation includes a two year clover ley (a mix of grasses, herbs and legumes) which adds nitrogen to the soil and is demonstrably improving the soil quality. Cultivation is kept to a minimum in order not to disrupt the improving and beneficial soil biology of fungal associations and earthworms. Biesty explains that the presence and number of earthworms is a great indicator of soil health. “Though in the current dry weather they will be deep underground, which”, she pauses, “will probably scupper our worm count activity we planned for Open Farm Sunday.”
The farm works with a grazier who brings his sheep to the farm for a few weeks to enjoy the clover leys. Their presence eating the plants and defecating further stimulates the soil biology while adding a natural fertilizer that should improve yields.
Environment
A significant role of every farmer is to be the custodian of the land they farm. At Deepdale, 60% of the farmed area is managed for wildlife, through a mid-tier Countryside Stewardship scheme. Surrounding each field are features for wildlife – flower-rich plots providing nectar, seeds and habitat, and cultivated margins. Biesty embraces the one in three cut for their hedgerows, facilitating their strong growth while providing habitat and food for wildlife. “Allowing the hedgerows to maintain a wide base, while still providing some growth on top, is good for wildlife, and having a covered soil helps retains carbon,” Biesty explains.
One of the most important environmental features created at Deepdale Farm are the beetle banks. Two km of ploughed banks are sown with tussocky grasses, wild carrot and fennel. This provides habitat for beneficial predatory beetles and other invertebrates, as well as cover for birds and mammals.
Biesty is passionate about nature-friendly farming and keen to share, through initiatives such as Open Farm Sunday, the farming and wildlife benefits she now sees. But combining wildlife-friendly practices with the need to provide food security and make a living has its challenges. The role of the government in helping farmers and the environment is paramount.
What exactly is the government’s policy?
“It’s exhausting trying to determine how to fund the farm, especially if incentives for our environmental work, which brings us no income, are not funded,” said Biesty. “There is such uncertainty in government policy that without the detail it is very difficult to plan for the future.”
A case in point was the government’s turbulent management of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). The SFI offers farmers a choice of actions that rewards and supports food production while protecting and enhancing nature. “We were suddenly told in March that Defra had stopped new SFI applications,” said Biesty, “That there was to be a new form of SFI coming in 2026. But not what it would entail nor who could apply. Then suddenly the government has had a change of heart.”
The government’s family farm inheritance tax proposal is another issue. Biesty explains that there is a lot of variance in how family farms are set up. And being a family farm – family being the operative word – they involve multiple family members across generations. “Discussion of a farm’s future can be a very tricky, sensitive subject as it concerns money, future livelihoods, where you may live as well as the fate of the farming business. There is still too much ambiguity to plan.”
Deepdale Farm’s aim is to farm for biodiversity, deliver nutritious organic food and make the farm a more beautiful and healthy place to work, stay and live. But to have a secure future the government must work closer with farmers, be consistent and be very clear on policy detail.
Deepdale Farm will host Open Farm Sunday on 31 May, 10am–3pm. The event is free and welcomes the whole family, from toddler to great-grandparent. Details of the wide variety of activities. Booking requested so Deepdale Farm may plan numbers.
Visit the Open Farm Sunday website to find out where and when your local farms are opening up.
