Hill Farm Habitat Bank
Integrating Farming with Nature Recovery
Hill Farm, Watergall is a family-run mixed use farm located near Southam in Warwickshire. Farmed by the Warner family for three generations and going into its fourth, priorities are environmental stewardship; healthy and happy livestock; improving soil health; and a resilient, robust business model that supports multiple generations. Mark and Emily Warner have championed grass-based systems to produce sustainable and nutrient dense lamb and beef, using rotational grazing that encompasses long rest periods of land allowing it to recover fully and express natural processes wherever possible. The lowland heavy-clay farm has transitioned from an 800-ewe indoor-lambing intensive sheep enterprise to one that now includes suckler cattle, a lower-input outdoor lambing flock, property lets and a new equestrian partnership as well as a Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme which utilises grant opportunities wherever possible. Emily is also a 2022 Nuffield Scholar who has recently presented her scholarship: “The MobGrazed Flerd: Improving soil, biodiversity and farm incomes". In addition, she has just completed an in-depth soil health course with world-renowned soil expert Nicole Masters.
“We see BNG as an opportunity to further what we are working towards on our farm: providing healthy, nutrient-dense food whilst enhancing biodiversity. Integrating BNG is a natural step for us allowing us to invest further in achieving these goals.”
Emily Warner, Landowner, Hill Farm Habitat Bank
Q&A
Why BNG?
Hill Farm, Watergall is a family-run mixed use farm located near Southam in Warwickshire. Farmed by the Warner family for three generations and going into its fourth, priorities are environmental stewardship; healthy and happy livestock; improving soil health; and a resilient, robust business model that supports multiple generations.
Why integrating it into farming?
Mark and Emily Warner have championed grass-based systems to produce sustainable and nutrient dense lamb and beef, using rotational grazing that encompasses long rest periods of land allowing it to recover fully and express natural processes wherever possible.
Why BNG?
Hill Farm, Watergall is a family-run mixed use farm located near Southam in Warwickshire. Farmed by the Warner family for three generations and going into its fourth, priorities are environmental stewardship; healthy and happy livestock; improving soil health; and a resilient, robust business model that supports multiple generations.
Timeline
15th September 2022
A lowland meadow is a species-rich grassland habitat that supports a diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and associated wildlife, with some meadows supporting 35 or more plant species within a 2m x 2m area.
23rd October 2024
A lowland meadow is a species-rich grassland habitat that supports a diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and associated wildlife, with some meadows supporting 35 or more plant species within a 2m x 2m area.
10th January 2025
A lowland meadow is a species-rich grassland habitat that supports a diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and associated wildlife, with some meadows supporting 35 or more plant species within a 2m x 2m area.
Habitats
Lowland Meadows
A lowland meadow is a species-rich grassland habitat that supports a diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and associated wildlife, with some meadows supporting 35 or more plant species within a 2m x 2m area. Traditionally managed through hay cutting and grazing, this habitat maintains high biodiversity value. Lowland meadows are recognized as a Priority Habitat under conservation frameworks due to their ecological importance and the need for active management to prevent loss from agricultural intensification or neglect.
Species Rich hedgerows
A lowland meadow is a species-rich grassland habitat that supports a diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and associated wildlife, with some meadows supporting 35 or more plant species within a 2m x 2m area. Traditionally managed through hay cutting and grazing, this habitat maintains high biodiversity value. Lowland meadows are recognized as a Priority Habitat under conservation frameworks due to their ecological importance and the need for active management to prevent loss from agricultural intensification or neglect.
Key Information
NCAs
(1) Dunsmore & Feldon
(2) Northamptonshire Uplands
LPA
Stratford-on-Avon-LPA
Available Units
321+ Units
Fractional Units
Yes, Hill Farm sells all fractions of units
The Habitat Bank has BNG units to offset:
Other neutral grassland
Lowland meadow
Mixed scrub
Rural/ urban trees
Ponds (non-priority)
Other woodland; broadleaved
Other woodland; mixed
Hedgerows (high and v.high distinctiveness)
“We see BNG as an opportunity to further what we are working towards on our farm: providing healthy, nutrient-dense food whilst enhancing biodiversity. Integrating BNG is a natural step for us allowing us to invest further in achieving these goals.”
John Smith, Farmer
Hedgerows are vital for landscape connectivity, acting as nature corridors that enable species, including bats, to move safely while providing foraging and navigation routes. Managed through rotational cutting and occasional laying, cutting is done in late winter to leave food available for birds in colder months.
John Smith, NAP