Integrating Trees Network

The Whiteford family farm at Burnfoot Farm, Sanquhar.  Which extends to 3500 acres, with 2500 acres being hill ground. The farm sits at 100m and hill rising to 400m above sea level, with average annual rainfall of 1000mm

They have a herd of 300 spring block calving pedigree Luings, bred pure or crossed with Aberdeen Angus, Charolais and Simmental, producing replacements, breeding heifers and stores. There is a flock of 1500 ewes made up of Scottish Blackface, bred pure or crossed with Bluefaced Leicester for replacements, breeding sales, crossing with Texel and producing fat lambs.

The farm already had 150 acres plus of woodland, riparian and shelter belts before, the new woodland creation of 50Ha was planted in two blocks. The scheme undertaken was Sheep and trees, this Forestry Grant Scheme enables application for both woodland creation and forest infrastructure. This scheme has which provided multiple benefits to the farm e.g. access to stock for feeding and monitoring,  creating areas for feeding allowing stock out for longer, gathering easier, provide access to excising woodland for felling and to new woodland when requires thinning in future years thus providing an income stream.

Walking and Talking trees with Andy & Debbie Duffus, Mains of Auchriachan, Tomintoul,
Tuesday August 16th, 10am – 1pm

On farm Andrew and Debbie Duffus will introduce us to their farm and will be talking to us about their family's new venture into woodland creation on their 1540 ha tenanted hill farm. We'll discuss the initial thought process, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits to the business e.g. more shelter less feed costs and better productivity. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. Please come along and bring your questions. Book your free place here. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here.

Walking and Talking trees with Andrew Adamson of Netherurd Home Farm, Blyth Bridge, near West Linton, Peeblesshire.
Wednesday 24th August, 10am – 1pm

On farm Andrew Adamson will introduce us to Netherurd Home Farm. Talk about how he has integrated trees into his farming business over a number of years; providing shelter for stock and crops along with an alternative income stream. He'll discuss the initial thought processes, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits and why he is planning to plant more trees. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and steps to woodland creation. As this will be a farmer-led network please come along and bring your questions and ideas to help us guide future event topics. Book your free place here. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here

Walking and Talking trees with Richard Lockett of Knockbain Farm, Dingwall.
Wednesday, 31st August 10 am – 1pm

Richard Lockett will introduce us to Knockbain Farm, his family’s 200 Ha mixed farm just outside Dingwall. This farm is gradually creating a network of wetlands, hedges, ponds, and expanding native and commercial woodlands. A pedigree herd of Luing cattle run on the farm, mob grazing grasslands and wildflower meadows. The woodlands provide shelter, shade, habitat, timber and wood fuel. We will discuss the farm’s experiences of woodland creation since the 1970’s (good and bad), the importance of woodlands for livestock and new agroforestry plans.  We’ll look at the initial thought process, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. Book your free place here. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here.

Walking and Talking trees with the Barbour Family. Mains of Fincastle, Pitlochry
Tuesday 13th September, 1pm – 4pm

The Barbour family will introduce us to their family farm Mains of Fincastle. A 540 Ha organic beef and sheep hill farm in Perthshire. They will discuss why plant trees, objectives, the process and challenges. How they have successfully integrated trees into their farming business. Providing multiple benefits from shelter and shade, increase in productivity to carbon capture. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. Please come along and bring your questions. Book your free place here. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here