CHILDERDITCH FARMS
AGRICULTURE
Childerditch Farms is a forward-thinking arable business managing just over 3,000 acres across Essex and Bedfordshire. Our core focus is on producing high-quality, combinable crops, including wheat, beans and oats while operating to the highest standards of efficiency and sustainability.
WE ADOPTED A ZERO-TILL FARMING SYSTEM
ZERO-TILL FARMING
In 2016, we adopted a zero-till farming system as part of our commitment to tackling the ever-increasing costs within agriculture and our ambition to improve soil health and protect the environment.
By reducing soil disturbance, we’ve been able to build organic matter, improve soil structure, enhance water retention and support biodiversity across the farms.
This approach reflects our ethos: combining innovation with environmental responsibility. We believe in farming for the future, balancing productivity with stewardship and ensuring that our land remains resilient and fertile for generations to come. Our zero-till farming system has also been instrumental in reducing carbon emissions and creating healthier, more resilient soils.
We’re proud to have over 20 hectares of land taken out of production and dedicated to supporting birds, bees and wildlife.
These areas include wildflower margins, buffer strips and carefully managed habitats that provide food and shelter for pollinators and other beneficial species.
Childerditch Farms is also a committed participant in a large Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement running until 2028, reinforcing our long-term dedication to environmental stewardship and responsible land management.
Other practices we implement include:
- Wildflower margins and field edges to support pollinators and beneficial insects
- Hedgerow management to provide essential habitats to birds and wildlife
- Cover cropping to protect and enrich soil over winter, reducing erosion and nutrient loss
- Buffer strips alongside watercourses to prevent runoff and protect water quality
Why It Matters?
Farming and environment are deeply connected. Healthy soils are the foundation go productive farming and biodiversity plays a vital role in creating balanced ecosystems. By working with nature rather than against it, we aim to leave the land in better condition than we found it – not just for our business but for future generations.
We believe sustainability isn’t a choice; it’s a responsibility. Every decision we make considers its impact on the environment, ensuring that we continue to produce food efficiently while protecting the natural world around us.
CHILDERDITCH FARMS
We’re a forward-thinking arable business managing just over 3,000 acres across Essex and Bedfordshire.