Orchard Farm
Farming with the land
Livestock form an important part of Orchard Farm’s wider farming system.
Our approach is based on good animal care, responsible use of the land and keeping livestock numbers in balance with the productive capacity of the farm.
For our sheep, that means rotational grazing across a series of paddocks, allowing pasture time to rest and recover while helping us respond to grass growth, weather and seasonal conditions.
More broadly, we want livestock to contribute positively to the farm as a whole — supporting productive grassland, making good use of home-grown forage and fitting within a system that also values soil health, biodiversity and long-term resilience.
Our Romney sheep
At the heart of the livestock enterprise is our developing flock of Romney sheep. Romneys are hardy, adaptable and particularly well suited to grass-based systems, making them a natural fit for the type of farming we are developing at Orchard Farm.
We are building a high-quality breeding flock with particular attention to: health, welfare, genetics, animal care and responsible grazing.
Our approach is deliberately long term. Rather than maximising stocking density, we aim to maintain the right balance between flock size, pasture productivity and the wider health of the land.
Poultry
We keep free-range Light Sussex chickens, a traditional British breed well suited to outdoor systems.
Our flock provides eggs, and we also hatch and rear chicks as part of maintaining and developing the birds on the farm, and helping other farms to build their flocks..
Keeping poultry on a small scale adds another dimension to food production at Orchard Farm and reflects our wider interest in traditional breeds, good animal care and a diverse farming system.
Bees
Beekeeping is an important part of Orchard Farm and links food production directly with the wider ecology of the farm.
Our hives produce honey, while the bees themselves play a vital role in pollinating orchard blossom, wildflowers and other flowering plants across the landscape.
Their health depends on the diversity and continuity of forage available through the seasons, from the orchard and wildflower areas to hedgerows and surrounding vegetation.
Beekeeping therefore provides both an agricultural product and a close connection with the biological health of the farm. It is a practical reminder that productive agriculture depends on the strength of the wider ecosystem in which it operates.
