Farming and land management

Since 1996, we’ve worked with farmers and landowners to develop and deliver nature-based solutions that benefit both farm businesses and the environment. We’ve helped them to navigate the maze of Government funding and environmental schemes to implement solutions that work for their farm ... and for rivers.

Whether it’s fencing off rivers, separating clean and dirty water, planting hedgerows and woodland, restoring rivers or reconnecting them to floodplains—we can help make it happen.

A group of people are gathered in a group on grassland next to a tractor waiting to give them a demonstration of soil aeration.

A red tractor with machinery attached to dig through the top layer of soil to aerate it, plus a hopper to spread seeds.

Farming is at the heart of the Eden Valley. With around 2,000 farms across the catchment, farmers play a vital role in shaping the health of our rivers and landscapes. But challenges like run-off, riverbank erosion, livestock access, and sewage pollution are putting pressure on water quality—impacting livestock, wildlife, and communities.

As proud custodians of the land, many are already taking steps to protect and improve their environment.

We’re here to help make that easier.

Practical support for farmers and land managers

Depending on the funding opportunities available, these are the types of help we can offer:

On-farm visits – we believe that walking the land to understand its opportunities and challenges is essential before we can together put together a plan for improvements,

Tailored advice on nature-based solutions,

Advice and guidance through funding applications,

Project management or delivery support,

Workshops, events and resources to share the latest thinking and technology.

Why work with us?

Local expertise with a catchment-wide perspective,

Independent charity focused on Eden’s rivers and landscapes,

Trusted partner with a track record of success,

Well-connected - we work with a wide range of partners to optimise funding, share expertise, and deliver the best outcomes for your farm and the river.

Our aim is to help you farm profitably and sustainably while protecting rivers, wildlife, and water supplies for future generations.

Our focus

Better water management from farmyard to field to river,

Healthier soils for productivity, infiltration, and carbon storage,

Improved biodiversity through habitat enhancement, collaborative invasive species control and improved water quality,

Greater resilience to droughts and downpours with nature-based solutions, helping farms to better cope with extremes with more stable conditions for livestock and crops.

Nature-based solutions we can help with

Soil health and water quality management

Soil aeration and testing to guide nutrient application
Soil health improvements for better infiltration
Surface run-off interception – hedges, river buffers
Farmyard upgrades, clean/dirty water separation, and improved tracks.

Carbon Storage

Ways to improve soil health and organic matter
Create wetlands and woodlands
Restore peat bogs – rewetting and reintroduction of sphagnum moss

Habitat and biodiversity

Enhance on-farm habitats
Integrate trees and hedgerows into the landscape
Collaborative eradication of invasive species

Climate resilience

Wetlands and ponds,
Natural flood management measures such as leaky dams,
River restoration: remeandering and floodplain reconnection
Tree planting for shade and shelter (including wet woodlands)
Methods that enhance soil health for increased water storage and greater rooting depth.

Whether you're looking to improve soil health, create habitats, or future-proof your farm against climate extremes, we’re here to help.

Get in touch with us on 01768 866788 or email [email protected] for an informal chat.

Current opportunities

Browse our current list of projects that you can get involved with. To find out more/sign up, please get in touch with us on 01768 866788 or email [email protected].

A group of people standing on grassland and arranged in a semi circle to listen to information being given by the activity leader about soil health.

Carbon soil event

Fellside Facilitation Fund Farmers’ Group

Who: Farmers on the North Pennines fellsides
Until: November 2025

Explore a variety of topics to improve your farming business, through increased efficiency and resilience. Our quarterly events feature expert advice and we have covered topics such as SFI updates, poor land to profitable habitat, agroforestry and dung beetles.

Previous group event partners have included: Farmer Network, Catchment Sensitive Farming, The Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission and Agrovista

Facilitation Fund farmers’ groups

grassy field by the side of a river. Far to the left is a wooden and wire fence that extends along the whole length of the field, parallel to the river

Down to Earth

Who: Farmers in Upper Eden (Temple Sowerby to Kirkby Stephen areas)
Until: End of 2025

Workshops and one-to-one support, including soil analysis, nutrient planning, and tailored interventions to reduce pollution and future-proof your farm.
Support with soil sampling is available – please get in touch with Anna Holliday.

Find out more about the Down to Earth project

A small stream cuts through scrubby waterlogged grassland. The area is dotted with saplings in green tree guards.

Woodland creation

Who: All Eden catchment farmers and land owners

We’re currently expanding our woodland creation programme in conjunction with RAISE - Cumbria Community Forest.

All sizes of land considered,
Any type of agroforestry, hedge creation, wood pasture, infield trees, woodland creation (including natural colonisation),
Native species only.

Support includes:

Assistance with design, application and due diligence,
Environment Impact Assessment checks,
Delivery support.

Grants available: Comparable to EWCO (Forestry Commission)

Interested? Get in touch now to be considered for our 2026/2027 project pipeline.

In a valley bottom there is a river with large meanders (bends) that sweep across the landscape. In the background there is a small forest stretching from the valley floor to the top of the hill.

Upper Irthing PRISM landscape recovery project

Who: Farmers and landowners in the Spadeadam area (Upper Irthing)

We’re scoping habitat improvements and invasive species control to reintroduce water voles. Interested in hosting a mink raft or enhancing wildlife habitat? Get in touch!

Find out more about the Upper Irthing PRISM landscape recovery project

Tackling invasive species

Who: farmers and landowners across the Eden catchment

American mink: We’re expanding our mink trapping network across the Eden catchment to create the conditions needed to successfully reintroduce water voles.
Interested in hosting a mink raft on your land? We’d particularly like to hear from any landowners in Kirkby Stephen and the Ravenstonedale area and the Lower Eden along the Rier Eden.

Giant hogweed: Potential spraying support available (March/April).

Himalayan balsam: We're planning our 2026 control programme and may be able to help—especially if you're based in the headwaters of the Eden catchment. If you have balsam growing near your becks, please get in touch.

Please get in touch with us on 01768 866788.