FiPL Farm Diaries

About FiPL Farm Diaries

The FIPL Farm Diaries gives you an inside look at farming’s future in the Yorkshire Dales, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Each episode explores a different part of a real project funded by FIPL, which stands for Farming in Protected Landscapes. This Defra-funded programme helps farmers and land managers access support for projects that deliver benefits for climate, nature, people, and place. Hear from the people at the heart of the Dales as they share honest stories, practical solutions, and the wider impact of their work on the landscape and community.

Publisher

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Dec 2025

Latest episode

25 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Feb 2026

   Meet the team at YDNP: Funding & Support in the Dales

   Welcome to a bonus episode of the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this special episode, we're looking ahead. The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) program has been extended for another three years, until 2029. We sit down with Megan Schofield, Laura Mealin and Jonny Walker from the FiPL team to discuss what this means for farmers and land managers in the Dales. We talk through the practicalities of applying, how the team supports applicants every step of the way, and the wide range of projects they are looking to fund. We also hear about the wider farming team, their breadth of expertise and how they help the farming community in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. To find out more information, or to get in touch with the team, visit https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/park-authority/living-and-working/farming/farming-in-protected-landscapes/

2. 

   18 Feb 2026

   The Power of a Network: Farmer-Led Learning and On-Farm Demos

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore the immense value of Farmer Networks. Farming can often be an isolating profession, but by coming together, sharing knowledge, and learning from each other, farmers across the Dales are finding new ways to innovate and thrive. We hear from two key organisations - Pasture for Life and The Farmer Network - who have used FiPL funding to create vibrant communities of practice, proving that the best advice often comes from other farmers. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Rob Bunn (Pasture for Life): Rob discusses the success of their FiPL-funded program across the North of England, emphasising peer-to-peer support. Nick Prince & Ellie Archer (Farmers):Two participants in the Pasture for Life program share their experiences. Kelsey Ann Williamson (The Farmer Network):Kelsey explains how The Farmer Network supports grassroots farming in the Dales. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk (mailto:fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk)

3. 

   11 Feb 2026

   Stronger Together: The Benefits of Farmer Collaboration

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we tackle a subject the farming industry isn't always known for: Collaboration. While farmers are often independent, the guests in this episode demonstrate the immense power of working together. Whether it's a formal cluster, a mentoring network, or a parish volunteer group, the message is clear: we can achieve more for the environment, our businesses, and our mental health when we don't go it alone. A key theme running through these interviews is the vital role of a facilitator - that person who handles the admin, organises the logistics, and allows the farmers to focus on farming. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Steve Dunning & Jemma Wilson (Orton Fells Farm Cluster):Steve (Chairman) and Gemma (Facilitator) discuss how neighbouring farms joined forces to gain "clout" and access funding they couldn't get individually. Rob Bunn (Pasture for Life):Rob manages the FiPL program for Pasture for Life across the North of England. Drew Woodward & Matt Jenkinson (Crosby Ravensworth Parish Tree Group):Returning guests Matt and Drew explain the mechanics of a community-led tree group. This is episode 11 out of a 12-part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk (mailto:fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk)

4. 

   4 Feb 2026

   Integrating Hedgerows and Trees for Livestock and Wildlife

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we focus on Hedges. For centuries, hedges have defined the Dales landscape, but many have been lost to time or neglect. We speak to three farming businesses that have used FiPL funding to reinstate these vital boundaries - not just for the sake of tradition, but to improve stock management, shelter, and biodiversity. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Matthew Lawson (Cautley):Matthew describes the "monumental task" of restoring 4,200 meters of hedging on his high-altitude farm (1,000ft+). Richard Tunstall (Kirkby Stephen):Richard shares how a National Park meeting led to a project replacing single fences with double-fenced hedges. Matt Jenkinson & Drew Woodward (Crosby Ravensworth Parish Tree Group):A collaboration between farmers and a local volunteer group that has planted 7,000 trees and 4 miles of hedges. This is episode 10 out of a 12-part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk (mailto:fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk)

5. 

   28 Jan 2026

   Opening the Gates: Managing Educational Visits and Public Access

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we are focusing on the farmers who are opening their gates to the general public for educational and therapeutic visits. We speak to four farmers who are each doing things a little differently, from hosting inner-city school children to providing a safe space for veterans to decompress. A common thread across all interviews is how fulfilling these farmers find this work. They are bridging the gap between town and country, fostering respect for the environment, and providing vital support for mental health. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Garry Schofield (Buckden):Garry hosts educational visits for school children from urban areas like Keighley and Harrogate. He shares his initial surprise at how little some children know about farming, having never been in the countryside or seen a sheepdog. Rachel Marston (Kirkby Stephen):Rachel actively markets her farm visits to schools and community groups. She highlights the importance of showing the public where their food comes from and the privilege of being able to access the countryside. Frank Hunter (Piper Hole Farm):Frank offers a safe, non-judgmental space for adults, particularly military veterans suffering from PTSD, to decompress and reconnect with nature. Helen Wray (Grassington):Helen and her husband have developed a small rare-breed farm with a museum and accessible footpaths. They host school visits, focusing on the story of wool as a sustainable product and the realities of meat production. This is episode 9 out of a 12-part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk (mailto:fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk)

6. 

   21 Jan 2026

   Farm Diversification: From Barn Conversions to Cheesemaking

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore how FiPL grants are helping farm businesses diversify. Farming in the Dales isn't just about livestock on the hills; it's about identifying gaps in the market and preserving heritage in new, commercially viable ways. We speak to two couples who have transformed derelict buildings into thriving businesses - one focusing on inclusive tourism, and the other on reviving a traditional taste of the Dales. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Paul & Andrea Dixon (Nateby, Cumbria/Dales Border):Paul and Andrea discuss their project to convert a derelict barn (previously used for cattle in the 70s) into a high-spec accessible holiday let. Ben & Samantha Spence (Curlew Dairy, Wensleydale):Ben shares the journey of Curlew Dairy, moving from a finance career in Manchester back to the Dales to start a cheese business in a double garage. With FiPL funding, they have now expanded into restored stone barns on the Bolton Estate. This is episode 8 out of a 12-part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk (mailto:fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk)

7. 

   14 Jan 2026

   Restoring Our Heritage: The Art and Importance of Barns and Drystone Walling

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore the Manmade Heritage of the Dales. The landscape of the National Park isn't just shaped by nature; it is defined by the stone structures built by generations of farmers. We speak to three individuals dedicated to restoring these iconic features—from a mysterious 18th-century brew house to the miles of drystone walls that act as wildlife corridors across the fells. Note: As mentioned in the episode, this story features some stunning visual restoration work. We highly recommend checking out the video version on our YouTube channel to see the barn and sheep fold in their full glory. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Julia Carr (Marrick, Swaledale):Julia shares the fascinating history of a remote barn that was originally built as a brew house in the early 18th century to serve travellers crossing the Dales. She discusses the challenges of restoring a building with such specific historical features using FiPL funding. Chris Fawcett (Kirkby Lonsdale):A fourth-generation farmer and professional drystone waller, Chris utilised a FiPL grant to restore a dilapidated sheep fold on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Laura Mealin (Land Management Advisor, YDNPA):Laura provides the wider cultural, conservation and historic context on why the National Park invests in stone structures. This is episode 7 out of a 12 part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk (mailto:fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk)

8. 

   7 Jan 2026

   Farmer-Led Conservation: Monitoring and Protecting Species

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we focus on Farmer-Led Conservation. We hear from farmers who are passionate about protecting one of the Dale's most iconic species - the Curlew - and who are using FiPL funding to gather the data needed to secure its future. We also hear about a landscape-scale recovery project that is using FiPL funding to bring together data to build a cohesive plan for the future. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Leigh Weston (Hilltop Farm, Malhamdale):Lee discusses the Malhamdale Curlew Project, a volunteer-led initiative that grew from a shared passion for protecting curlews. She explains how FiPL funding allowed them to hire a consultant ornithologist, turning citizen science into a robust, professional data set. Jamie McEwan & Catherine Bryan (Kingsdale Head):Catherine and Jamie, winners of the 2024 National Park Nature Award, discuss how FiPL funding enabled them to pull together various audits and surveys into a cohesive landscape recovery plan and how managed grazing of their cattle is a crucial part of that. Paul Hunter (West Witton):A sheep farmer from West Witton, Paul shares his experience as a volunteer in a large-scale National Park Curlew Project. He describes the practical steps involved, from weekly bird counts to the use of technology like GPS tagging and "Audio Moths" for listening to bird calls. This is episode 6 out of a 12-part series, looking at many of the Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) projects across the Dales.

9. 

   31 Dec 2025

   Practical Habitat Creation: Ponds, Wetlands and Meadows

   Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we focus on Practical Habitat Creation. We speak to three land managers who are turning back the clock on small areas of their land - restoring ponds, wetlands, and hay meadows to their former glory. These stories highlight that restoration isn't about sacrificing the farm business; it's about utilising less productive land to bring back biodiversity, cultural heritage, and resilience to the landscape. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Stephen Rain (Stainforth):Stephen utilised FiPL funding to regenerate three historic ponds believed to be man-made fish stores from Roman times. He discusses the careful process of removing years of overgrowth without damaging the natural lining. Ellen Milner (Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust - Hay Time Project):Ellen discusses the critical work of restoring species-rich hay meadows, a habitat that has seen a 97% decline since the 1950s. She explains the science behind restoration, specifically why low-nutrient soil is essential for diversity and The FiPL Project: Funding over 7,000 "plug plants" (late-flowering species like Great Burnet and Wood Cranesbill) to reintroduce complex flora to the Dales. Tom Boothman (Linton):A hill livestock farmer producing high-end beef, Tom explains how he used FiPL to create a wetland area and plant trees on less productive land. Tom discusses how he created a habitat for egrets and kingfishers while engaging the public who view the farm from nearby footpaths. This is episode 5 out of a 12-part series, looking at many of the Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) projects across the Dales.

10. 

    24 Dec 2025

    From the Ground Up: Practical Steps to Improve Soil Health

    Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we dig into the foundation of every productive farm: the soil. However, we are moving away from mechanical interventions. Instead, we explore how livestock management and nature’s own engineers - the humble dung beetles - can dramatically improve soil structure and biology. Join us as we visit two different farms using FiPL funding to prove that sometimes, the best way to improve the ground is to change what happens above it. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Genny Calvert (Wildlife Conservation Officer) and Stuart Raw (Beef & Sheep Farmer).Jenny and Stuart discuss a project covering 25 sites to survey dung beetle populations. They break down why these insects are vital for soil aeration, parasite control, and even reducing methane emissions. Alan Robinson (Beef Farmer).Alan returns to discuss his transition to mob grazing (high density, short duration) and out-wintering cattle on deferred grass. He talks us through how he's using his cattle as a tool to improve compaction, water retention and soil organic matter. This is episode 4 out of a 12-part series, looking at many of the Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) projects across the Dales.

11. 

    17 Dec 2025

    The Starting Point: Using Audits and Surveys to Plan Your Farm’s Future

    Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore the vital role of "baselining" - understanding exactly where you are starting from before planning for the future. Whether it is biodiversity, soil health, or financial sustainability, knowing your numbers is the key to managing change. We speak to farmers across the Yorkshire Dales who have used FiPL funding to conduct audits and surveys. From counting dung beetles to analysing balance sheets, discover how data is helping these businesses unlock new revenue streams and improve farm profitability while delivering for nature. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Jamie McEwen (Conservation & Farm Manager) and Catherine Bryan (Owner), Kingsdale Head.Jamie and Catherine discuss their large-scale landscape recovery project. They explain why a holistic baseline survey was essential to measure "uplift" and access conservation revenue streams. James Newhouse (Beef & Sheep Farmer).Following his introduction in Episode 1, James returns to discuss the deep-dive audits he performed before starting rotational grazing. Jemma Wilson (Facilitator) and Steve Dunning (Dairy Farmer), both involved in the Orton Fells Farm Cluster Group.This interview takes a different approach by looking at financial baselining. Steve shares his experience shifting from a high-input mindset to finding the "Sweet Spot" (Maximum Sustainable Output). This is episode 3 out of a 12-part series, looking at many of the Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) projects across the Dales.

12. 

    10 Dec 2025

    Water Resilience on the Farm

    Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest barriers to modern grazing management: Water. We speak to three farmers who have utilised the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme to fund innovative water solutions - ranging from solar pumps to long-distance mains connections - allowing them to protect nature while improving their farm’s resilience. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Alan Robinson (Orton, Westmorland Dales):Alan farms on land owned by Kate Blue. He discusses how a FiPL grant funded a solar-powered pump and water bladder system. This setup has been a game-changer, allowing Alan to mob graze and bale graze his Belted Galloways on a 200-acre block that previously had no water infrastructure. Steven Crabtree (Bolton Abbey & Airton):A landlord working with his tenant, Michael Thwaite. Steven shares how planting woodland in steep gills cut off natural water access, necessitating a new solution. He breaks down the mechanics of solar pumping technology - busting the myth that you need bright sunshine. Bill Ousby (Newbiggin-on-Lune):Farming near Kirby Stephen, Bill faced a challenge when a steep gill (a SSSI) needed fencing off to protect the habitat, cutting off his livestock's access to the beck. He explains his decision to install an electric pump and mains connection, burying pipe across common land to reach his stock. This is episode 2 out of a 12-part series, looking at many of the Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) projects across the Dales.

13. 

    3 Dec 2025

    Getting Started with Rotational and Mob Grazing.

    Welcome to the very first episode of FiPL Farm Diaries. This series is brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this premiere episode, we dig into the practicalities, challenges, and successes of transitioning to rotational and mob grazing. We speak with a new entrant farmer establishing his system from scratch, and a landlord-tenant duo working together to improve infrastructure for better grazing management. 🎙️ Featured Guests James Newhouse | Long Preston James manages roughly 145 acres with Belted Galloway cows and Swaledale and Herdwick sheep. James shares his journey of: Moving from "set stocking" to a rotational system. Why he initially went down the "rabbit hole" of soil health and how he re-balanced his focus toward animal performance. Using FiPL funding for hedging and fixed fencing rather than just electric. The importance of adapting advice to fit your specific farm and soil type. Steven Crabtree (Landowner) & Michael Thwaite (Tenant) | Airton & Bolton Abbey Steven utilised FiPL funding to upgrade a 120-acre plot of land at Airton with new hedging, electric fencing, and a solar-powered water system. We discuss: Steven's motivation: restoring land fertility and supporting a young tenant farmer. The infrastructure: Installing a solar pump and 20,000-litre bladder tank to supply water to split paddocks. The tenant’s perspective: How Michael uses the new infrastructure to manage grass growth, increase rest periods, and keep stock healthy during dry spells. This is episode 1 out of a 12-part series, looking at many of the Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) projects across the Dales.

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