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6. Higher Burrow Farm
Lying in the rolling fields of the Somerset Levels, between Langport and Ilminster, Higher Burrow Farm was the first associated with Coombe Farm to become organic, converting in 1998. It has since become a ‘blueprint’ operation, showing others how much can be achieved organically and the best methods to use when converting to organic production.
It is also unusual in that it is a partnership project that is owned by Chris Applin, an expert on irrigation and noted designer of architectural water features for important buildings, while management is looked after by Andy King of Coombe Farm.
The farm’s 750 acres are home to 350 Friesian/Holstein cross cattle and as well as providing permanent pasture land, it also grows almost all of their winter feed. While Coombe’s expertise has been used to maximise the farm’s organic potential, Chris Applin’s has been instrumental in helping to manage the streams, ditches and reed beds that are a hallmark of land on the Somerset Levels.
Says Andy King; “Maintaining the right balance between conservation and land management requires a particular expertise and Chris’s knowledge of irrigation is a great help with this. The farm borders the River Parrett and sits in an area classified as a site of special scientific interest, so it’s important that the land is skilfully managed from an environmental as well as organic standpoint. It is criss crossed by a network of droves, which were the traditional way of moving around on the levels, so has a lot of history connected to it, as well as a being an excellent demonstration of an organic future.”
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