Q&A: Farm Diversification and Creating New Woodlands with Jo Nicholson 

My Parents bought the farm in 1969 and in those days the estate was twice the size and was equally proportioned over the A413, but in 1977, my father wanted to concentrate on his businesses in London and my mother took over the running and halved the acreage to what it is now – about 1200 acres. We used to employ 21 people all of whom lived on the farm, but it became economically sound to switch to a contract farming agreement for the arable side, which remains today. The cattle side of the farm remained in-house but has recently switched to a small beef herd from a dairy enterprise in 2010. 

I came back from a career in the military having served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan in mainly interpreter and intelligence roles in 2013 to effectively take over the running of the estate.  

How does the farm function today?

Since coming back, we have developed the farm but have started various non farming activities such as converting old cattle housing from the dairy days into light industrial and retail rental units.  

We also have a large grain processing plant that can clean, dry, and fumigate combinable crops.  

 We have recently rented out 112 acres to a solar farm operated by Low Carbon and not to mention planted 70 acres of new woodland. Since the planting we have diversified further and started renting part of the site for dog training which is working very well. 

 The next project on the horizon will be a distillery with the aim of growing all our ingredients.  That is in the planning phase, but we have planted a 12-acre orchard which will provide fruit for apple and plum brandy and planted another 6 acres with various grains for interesting whiskeys. The distillery will also have an experiential side with tours of the farm and country activities. 

 The arable side remains in a contract farming agreement. 

 My mother still runs the estate, and I am very much the apprentice!! 

What were the reasons for choosing to plant new woodlands on your farm?

The reason we decided to plant new woodland on the farm was for environmental reasons, and for shelter in increasingly windy times and, I have long term plans for the estate that could involve diversification within the woodlands. This may not be my decision, but it could provide my children with opportunities if they wanted to stay living and working on the farm. 

What are your plans once the trees are established?

As an extra source of income, the rides and clearings within the woodland could make an excellent silva-gym for example, particularly with the public being advised that getting out into nature is a great healer of mental health issues.  With a bit of imagination providing public access to the farm and the woodland could provide a good income stream running alongside the rest of the enterprises.   

It is important to get the trees established, but as they mature, and my children grow, ideas can develop. It is not exactly a blank canvas, but with a bit of creativity and imagination the woodlands will be a great asset to the farm. 

We are also talking to CarbonStore about the selling of the carbon credits generated from creating a new woodland which is expected to capture 6,900 tonnes of CO2e over the next 100 years, according to the  Woodland Carbon Code. The expected tonnes to be sequestered is the same amount as that emitted from driving 17.25 million miles in a petrol car.  

My advice to other farmers thinking about planting trees is don’t wait too long:

The best time to plant trees was 20 years ago – the second-best time is now!

 What is your experience working with Tilhill Forestry and would you recommend other farmers and landowners to seek advice from forestry and woodland specialists?

 I would definitely recommend Tilhill to other farmers. The service provided was exceptional. 

Tilhill Forestry have taken all the hard work out of the project from the form filling, liaison with the forestry commission, applying for grants, planning the woodland, orgainising the procurement of plants, stakes and guards to the planting and the maintenance.  The entire process was clearly explained to me, and I have been kept up to date with any developments. I have been very well advised and am incredibly happy with the results. 

You can find out more about Jo’s farm and woodland creation project with Tilhill Forestry and CarbonStore in this case study.

To purchase the carbon credits generated from this project view the opportunity here.