Environmental Responsibility
Sustainability
Farming within the Dorset AONB carries a profound responsibility. We are committed to practices that protect and enhance the environment we steward.
Stewardship of the Dorset Landscape
Armswell Farm lies entirely within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — one of the UK's most protected and cherished landscapes. This designation imposes upon us a duty to farm in ways that conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of this special place.
We take this responsibility seriously. Every farming decision we make considers its impact on the landscape, the soil, the watercourses, the wildlife, and the wider ecosystem of the Piddle Valley.
Our approach to sustainability is practical, grounded, and long-term. We invest in practices that deliver real environmental benefits while maintaining the economic viability of the farm.
In Practice
Our Environmental Practices
Biodiversity Enhancement
We maintain and restore hedgerows, plant native trees, and manage field margins to create wildlife corridors. Our grasslands support diverse plant communities including orchids, cowslips, and rare chalk grassland species.
Water Protection
The chalk streams of the Piddle Valley are ecologically precious. We maintain wide buffer zones along watercourses, manage slurry and manure to prevent pollution, and ensure our farming activities never compromise water quality.
Soil Health Management
We use rotational grazing to prevent overgrazing, apply organic matter to build soil fertility, and minimise cultivation to protect soil structure. Cover crops and ley periods help fix nitrogen naturally.
Carbon & Waste Reduction
Pasture-based dairy farming is inherently lower in emissions than intensive systems. Our grazing management helps sequester carbon in the soil. We minimise waste through composting and careful resource management.
The AONB
Farming in a Protected Landscape
The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of 46 AONBs across the UK, designated for their nationally important landscapes. Farming has shaped these landscapes for millennia, and farmers remain their primary custodians.
The government's Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme supports farmers like us to deliver projects that benefit the landscape, nature, climate, and people of AONBs.
Learn About Dorset National LandscapeOur Environmental Commitments
- ✓ Maintain all farmland in accordance with AONB management priorities
- ✓ Protect and enhance chalk grassland habitat across our pastures
- ✓ Manage hedgerows on a rotation to ensure healthy, dense boundaries
- ✓ Maintain buffer strips along all watercourses and wetlands
- ✓ Minimise synthetic inputs through integrated farm management
- ✓ Support pollinator populations through wildflower margins