Future of Farming

The produce of a farm should not be measured purely on the quantity and quality of the food supplied to human and animal feed markets: our farms deliver far more than food. The Estate through its in hand and tenant farms is proud of its contribution to the wider community and the environment.

A viable farming business creates the living landscape that we all enjoy, it maintains hedges, woods, footpaths, gates and stiles. It is not just the landscape that is provided, but also the support given to the viability of the local community. The Estate provides homes for over 30 farmers and their families on the tenanted farms. Clinton Farms directly employs and houses 9 full time employees. Each family lives and works locally, supporting local businesses, churches, schools and other rural facilities.

The impact of a viable farm also reaches the wider regional community. Clinton Farms alone spends £1 million in the local and regional economy every year, through suppliers and employees.

Clinton Farms took part in a national research project led by Forum for the Future www.forumforthefuture.org which looked at the sustainability of UK farming. As a result of this work Clinton Farms received the sustainability of its farming practices and the influences the holding has upon not only the immediate Estate community but also the local and regional area. As a direct result the farm is now undergoing organic conversion and undertaking a feasibility study into producing electricity and heat from anaerobic digestion.