We are delighted to be taking part in Agroforestry Open Weekend 2024

Our farm

Our farm is a typical mid-Cornwall livestock farm of 70ha. Soils are acid silty clay loam sitting over well shattered substrate of Devonian slates, shales and sands. The valley bottom has a cap of kaolin. The farm is not tyipical in that it has 4 ha of mixed mature woodland, 4 ha of mixed 35 year old woodland and 2.5 ha of nut orchard. There are also 6km of unmanaged hedge/Cornish wall. The fields are all in grass, pre-dominantly mixed herbal leys.

Our agroforestry

I have been very interested in agroforestry for many years but was dissuaded by the lack of schemes to fund it. In the end in 2017 we planted some rows of willow in a field (cheap and cheerful) but the drought of 2018 and poor protection killed most of the trees. The final straw was Canada geese.

Beating up was done in 2018, and then finally in 2020 with apple trees (I know, I know) and the trees appear now established Since then we have created a further 16ha of wood pasture, in the the teeth of the worst drought I have known here. To me the droughts just underline the imperative for getting the agro-forestry in place asap.

In Autumn 2023 a Forest For Cornwall aided agroforestry scheme was commenced in two fields adjacent to Grampound Road. This consists of rows of trees behind a 2 strand electric fence. The trees are alternate Pinus radiata (for timber crop) purple willow for browse and fruit bushes (black currant, blue berry and blackberry) for people, so effectively a triple layer woodland with permaculture overtones.

Here are some photos of what we do:

how to find us

Woodland Valley Farm, Ladock, Truro, Cornwall, TR2 4PT

agroforestry open weekend 2024

Over Agroforestry Open Weekend 2024 we will be open on afternoons of Saturday and Sunday of the weekend.

please don’t just turn up

Please register your interest by email to oldmacdonald59@gmail.com

facilities/refreshments

Refreshments available

parking/access

Free parking available on site

dogs

well behaved/looked after dogs are very welcome.

disability access

The site has a high degree of access by arrangement. cross country electric wheel chairs recommended but we can by arrangement assist with small vintage tractors(!).

more information?

oldmacdonald59@gmail.com 07971 436319 (ideally by Whatsapp)