Environment

Red Berries in hedge Crab Apples in Hedgerow

Tiptoe Farm is a LEAF Demonstration Farm with the LEAF Marque accreditation, which this is the back bone to all our farm practices. We have an annual inspection that takes place to ensure that we are farming in an environmentally friendly way. Some examples of this are the 6 meter grass strips in the fields, with herbs and flower mixtures to encourage bees, and birds. The riverbank is recognised as SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and this means that area is protected. There is fishing on the river Till and this can be described as "wild" and is managed accordingly.

Environmental History

In 2005/ 06 we were Finalists in the "LEAF Marque Grower of the Year" Competition sponsored kindly by Waitrose.

In early September 06 Tiptoe Farm won the the overall "Most Beautiful Farm in Britain" This was awarded for all the water and soil management work, as well as all the measures put in place to encourage wild life , flowers, and bird life. Click here for more details.

The River Till Surrounded by Woodland

In 2007 we began work on the restoration and development of a Mill Pond area.
The woodlands have been graded as A & SNW (Ancient & Semi Natural Woodlands) We have a responsibility to manage, which we do by looking after the trees that are there, and by planting more.
In April 2008 we were so pleased, and grateful to welcome 3 knowledgeable volunteers from the RSPB Volunteer and Farmer Alliance, to help us begin a valuable Bird Survey. The results which were finalised in September 2008 showed us that we have many species of birds on the farm, including some of High Conservation concern, including Song Thrush , Yellow Hammer and Willow Tit. We now need to ensure we increase these species as well as continue to encourage more.
In September 2008 Terry Laybourne, a celebrity North East chef from Jesmond Dene House Newcastle upon Tyne, opened Tiptoe Farm as a LEAF Demonstration Farm. We are now able to host official visits, helping people to learn and understand farming methods and the way we look after the land. LEAF has helped us to structure the visits, and produce literature. Info on some of the last visits click here, or here!

Plans for 2009 / 2010 We plan to spend our time consolidating on the work done so far and maintain what we have developed. We encourage groups (of up to 25) to visit , although we are limited to only four visits a year, so you need to plan ahead if you would like to visit!

Plans for 2012/ 2013 We have begun work on a dedicated Education Room for the LEAF visits, and we hope to begin to use this in early 2013.

Six metre strips in field        Rowan Berries in Hedgerow