Sustainable farmingPractical support for sustainable farming
Meet the local groups helping farmers make practical changes that work on real farms.
Support for sustainable farming in Warwickshire
Sustainable Farming Groups are working across the region to bring farmers and land managers together to make practical changes that support nature, strengthen soil and water, and keep farms productive for the long term.
They are a place to share what works, learn from experts and peers, and get support navigating the fast-changing landscape of funding, regulation, and agricultural transition.
Across Warwickshire, Coventry, and Solihull, there are three key local groups you can join:
- Arden Farm Wildlife Network
- Leam and Upper Avon Sustainable Farming Group
- South Warwickshire Sustainable Farming Network
Together, they help farmers take action on the big challenges facing land management today, from biodiversity recovery and habitat connectivity to climate resilience and the shift away from Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) support towards Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS). The focus is always grounded in real farms and real decision-making: improving outcomes for wildlife and the wider landscape, while protecting the viability of the business.
What the groups do
The groups support members to:
- Build knowledge and confidence in managing on-farm habitats
- Access funding that can support on-farm change and landscape-scale projects
- Prepare for the transition from BPS to ELMS
- Make changes that support resilience and long-term productivity
- Find trusted advice and signposting on environmental opportunities and support
Alongside events, farm walks and guest speakers, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Senior Agricultural Advisor, Sally Eadon, supports the groups with one-to-one advice for farmers. One-to-one visits are available for farmers and landowners across Warwickshire, Coventry, and Solihull who want practical advice on improving biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
How the three groups came about
The Arden Farm Wildlife Network was established in 2018, supported by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) Facilitation Fund. Working with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and independent farm environment adviser Zoe Bell, the network helped farmers in the Arden area build skills in environmentally friendly farming and improve habitats for farmland wildlife.
Building on that success, Warwickshire Rural Hub, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, and Severn Rivers Trust have since launched two more sustainable farming groups: Leam and Upper Avon and South Warwickshire. With all three in place, farmers across the county can get involved.
Joining the groups
To join a group, contact Warwickshire Rural Hub and tell us where you farm and which area you’re in.
The groups are free to join, and are designed specifically for farmers and land managers, so the sessions stay practical and relevant.
Feedback from a member about a recent event.I would just like to say thank you to everyone connected with the rainwater harvesting event. I found it extremely helpful and interesting. The event gave me the answers I have been looking for and raised a few far more important ones that I haven’t considered. Refreshments were very welcome, and the venue was ideal.
About the three groups
Arden Farm Wildlife Network
The Arden Farm Wildlife Network is Warwickshire’s longest-running sustainable farming group, bringing together farmers who want to strengthen wildlife habitats and build resilient, productive farming systems. With 86 members, the network has helped set the pace for what farmer-led collaboration can achieve at a landscape scale.
Members meet to share practical learning on habitat management for key species, alongside regenerative and sustainable approaches that support soil, water, and long-term farm viability. The group also turns that learning into action, working together on projects that deliver real environmental benefit across the wider area.
Recent focus and projects include:
- Meadow restoration
- Barn Owl and Tree Sparrow conservation
- Tree planting across hedgerows and woodlands
Leam and Upper Avon Sustainable Farming Group
Launched in October 2021, the Leam and Upper Avon Sustainable Farming Group supports farmers across the catchment to explore practical, nature-friendly farming that works in the real world. With 63 members, the group creates space for farmers to learn from specialists and each other, test ideas on-farm, and build confidence around environmental decisions and funding options.
Events to date have combined inspiration with hands-on detail, covering everything from regenerative approaches to the practical realities of farm carbon, hedgerows, and habitat improvements.
Events have included:
- A presentation on regenerative farming by Herefordshire farmer Ben Taylor Davies (RegenBen)
- A look at the environmental work underway at Weston Hall Farm
- A hedgerow walk and talk, including condition assessment and management strategies
- A session on using the Farm Carbon Toolkit
Support: Severn Rivers Trust helps enable the group’s work by providing a facilitator.
Funding and opportunities: Funding and projects available for farmers in the Leam Catchment are listed here:
South Warwickshire Sustainable Farming Group
The South Warwickshire Sustainable Farming Group is a fast-growing network for farmers who want to stay ahead of agricultural transition, improve environmental outcomes, and protect long-term productivity. The group began in June 2021 with 25 farmers covering 6,977 hectares. The group has grown to 91 farmers, reflecting the appetite for practical, peer-led learning.
The programme brings together farm visits, scheme guidance, and straightforward, farmer-to-farmer conversation, helping members make sense of evolving options such as Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Events have included:
- A tour of sustainable farming methods at the Upton Estate
- Talks on Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes
- Walks and talks on cover crops, plus seeding field corners and margins
- How to use the Farm Carbon Toolkit
- A pie and pint discussion and planning evening
Feedback from a member after a recent eventI found the recent webinar with Defra excellent. The chief officer for designing the ELMS standards and the other Defra staff were able to answer all my questions in a most helpful way.
CommunityJoin 1,300+ farmers and rural businesses
Membership is free and takes just two minutes. Connect with your farming community now and explore the support that exists on your doorstep.