Hilley Farm agroforestry: 4ha woodland on marginal land
Some fields just don’t pay their way. At Hilley Farm, Mandy Stoker Jones has turned those stubborn corners into a strength. In the UK Government case study on the farm, she shows how a 4‑hectare woodland, clusters of trees on land that isn’t fit for arable or grazing, and strips of agroforestry now sit alongside cattle. The trees lift daily welfare on the farm and shift low‑yield ground into long‑term value.
What we mean by marginal land: ground that costs time and money but gives little back. It might be thin soil, wet patches, or awkward shapes that machinery can’t reach. Planting trees there is a practical trade: less chasing poor yields, more shade, shelter and calmer animals. Students can map such patches using aerial photos, soil notes and how animals move through the field.
What it means: agroforestry is farming with trees on the same field. You might see lines of trees with grazing between, wider headlands studded with fruit or timber species, or small alleys that break the wind. Done well, trees can steady soils, hold more water after rain and give useful products over time.
Why biodiversity rises in places like this is simple: more varied structure means more places to live. A new woodland edge offers blossom for pollinators, trunks for fungi and birds, and leaf litter for beetles. Those pockets and strips also act as stepping stones between hedges and existing woods, so wildlife can move more easily across the farm.
Carbon matters too. The woodland at Hilley Farm is registered with the Woodland Carbon Code, the UK standard that checks whether new woodlands are removing carbon in a measurable, trustworthy way. Registration places the project on a public register and involves monitoring over time, so future claims about carbon benefit can be backed up.
Think like a land manager. Start by asking where trees would help animals and people the most. Corners that twist the tractor, banks that erode, and open fields that bake in summer are all candidates. Then match species to your soil and choose simple layouts you can maintain alongside livestock.
A sense of scale helps. Four hectares is roughly the size of six football pitches, so this is a meaningful change without taking the whole farm out of production. If you teach geography or science, set a quick activity: sketch a 4‑hectare block and plan where you would put pockets, strips and a central copse to balance shade, access and biosecurity.
Classroom take‑away: how we check claims. Carbon ‘codes’ exist because numbers about climate need trust. The Woodland Carbon Code requires consistent methods, independent verification and transparent records. Even if you never buy or sell a carbon unit, understanding the idea of a public standard helps you judge climate claims you see online.
The human part matters. For Mandy Stoker Jones, the woodland is also a legacy-something the next generation can walk through as well as work with. That mix of daily benefits for cattle and a place that lasts is why this case study is useful for learners: it shows how small, well‑chosen tree planting can serve both farming and nature without fuss.