Mendip Hills Farm Cluster

Mendip Hills Farm Cluster banner with logos

48 Farms Collaborating and Growing ()

8,000 Hectares Represented ()

Established in 2016 ()

Delivering Nature Recovery at Landscape Scale ()

Since 2016, the Mendip Hills Farm Cluster has brought together farmers, land managers and conservation partners from across the Mendip landscape.

The cluster is supported through Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Mendip Hills National Landscape, with funding from Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.

Working across farm boundaries, members share knowledge, explore new approaches and deliver practical projects that benefit wildlife, water, soils and farming businesses.

Together, we are demonstrating how productive farming and nature recovery can thrive side by side, creating a more resilient future for both farming and nature across the Mendip Hills.

Thinking of getting involved?

Healthy soils

Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient farming businesses. Cluster members explore practical approaches to improving soil structure, increasing organic matter and building long-term productivity while reducing environmental impacts.

Nature recovery

Working together across the landscape allows members to create larger and better-connected habitats for wildlife. From species-rich grasslands to restored hedgerows and wetlands, collaborative action is helping nature recover across the Mendips.

Farmer learning

The Farm Cluster provides opportunities for members to learn from one another through workshops, farm walks, guest speakers and practical demonstrations. Sharing knowledge and experience helps members make informed decisions for their farms and businesses.

It has been fantastic for me and for the info I relay onwards from it to other peers, groups and family members not in the cluster.

Mendip Hills Farm Cluster Member

Delivering change across the landscape

The challenges facing farming, climate and biodiversity do not stop at farm boundaries.

Through collaboration, cluster members tackle shared challenges such as habitat fragmentation, water quality, soil health and climate resilience. By working together, farmers can achieve outcomes that would be difficult to deliver individually.

Supported by Somerset Wildlife Trust, members gain access to specialist advice, training opportunities, landscape projects and a network of like-minded farmers who are passionate about shaping the future of the Mendips.

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Hedgerows and boundaries

Hedgerows are one of the most important habitats in the farmed landscape. Members are restoring, planting and managing hedgerows to strengthen wildlife corridors and reconnect fragmented habitats across the Mendips.

Water and wetlands

From ponds and springs to streams and wetlands, cluster members are enhancing freshwater habitats to support biodiversity, improve water quality and increase landscape resilience to changing weather patterns.

Species recovery

The Farm Cluster supports efforts to monitor and improve habitats for important Mendip species. By creating better-connected landscapes, members are helping wildlife move, adapt and thrive.

Contact

The Mendip Hills Farm Cluster is supported by Somerset Wildlife Trust and works closely with farmers, land managers, local partners and environmental specialists across the landscape.