The KSCP helped the farmer apply for Countryside
Stewardship. The 1999 agreement includes the reversion of 5.57 ha of
arable land to wet grassland, 2358m of arable field margins, tree and
hedge planting. In January 2001 KSCP volunteers planted 431m of hedge. The
site is on the upper reaches of the East Stour next to the Aldington Flood
Relief Barrier.
With assistance from KSCP a second countryside stewardship scheme has
now been entered, which will incorporate all the farm holdings. Amendments
to the initial scheme have also been entered. The works will include such
benefits as arable reversion to pasture, arable field margins, extensive
hedge and tree planting and the creation of two ponds.
The farm has become a demonstration farm for LEAF (Linking Environment
and Farming), this will be an excellent example of integrated farm
management which is not at the cost of the environment. The launch of the
scheme was marked by the erection of two barn owl boxes on telegraph poles
set along an area which has recently reverted to pasture.
Plans are on the table for a very ambitious scheme centred along the
East Stour at Evesgate, which will see the re-meandering of the
straightened river and the raising of the water level to create large
areas of wetland.
