ADM Cares Support Jamie's Farm to Transform 159 Acres with Herbal Leys and Fodder Crops
Jamie's Farm, a UK-based charity dedicated to engaging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through farming, received a grant from ADM Cares to support planting almost 159 acres with herbal leys and fodder crops.
Advancing Regenerative Farming
In recent years, Jamie's Farm has been committed to transitioning to regenerative farming practices across their operations. Thanks to a 2023 grant from ADM Cares, they have successfully transformed a substantial portion of their land. The introduction of herbal leys—diverse plant mixtures designed to enhance soil health, structure, and fertility—has been a key element in this transition.
This diverse planting approach has not only improved soil quality but also increased biodiversity on their farms. The team has observed a surge in wildlife, including breeding pairs of skylarks, buzzards, and red kites, reflecting the positive environmental impact of their new practices.
Enhancing Farm Operations and Youth Engagement
The herbal ley pastures also provide valuable forage for Jamie's Farm' grass-fed cattle and sheep. This shift has reduced their reliance on purchased feed and supported the expansion of their mob grazing practices.
Mob grazing involves rotating livestock daily, a practice that provides hands-on farming experience for the visiting young people who have the opportunity to engage in meaningful farm work, contributing to their personal growth and learning.
About Jamie's Farm
Jamie's Farm works to transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people who are not thriving in school or society. Since its beginnings in 2009, Jamie's Farm has supported over 15,000 young people.
When children are not engaging fully with their education it can be difficult for them to see their potential as successful people. Without opportunities to realize what they are capable of, a course of underachievement and underemployment can be set very early on. The consequences of this are likely to be felt well into adulthood, with the biggest impact on employability, wellbeing and relationships. Jamie's Farm offers a unique, preventative solution to empower young people to change course.