Upper Beult Farmer Cluster
Information page
The Upper Beult Farmer Cluster is facilitated by Kent Wildlife Trust, working in partnership with Southern Water.
The group brings farmers and landowners together, in a farmer-led initiative, to collectively deliver greater benefits for soil, water and wildlife at a landscape scale.
Kent Wildlife Trust facilitates the farmer cluster with support from Maidstone Borough Council.
The Trust works closely with local communities, landowners and partners to protect and improve habitats in the countryside for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent.
How to join
To join us you are only required to be keen on collaboration with neighbours for the potential wider benefits that can follow. You can attend cluster meetings when convenient or of interest to you.
If you are a farmer and interested in joining this or another local farm cluster group, please email [email protected]
Dave Shenton provides the facilitation of the Greensand Farm Cluster, helping to coordinate meetings and events, and signpost to funding opportunities for farmers.
If you are farming or managing land in the Greensand Farm Cluster area or an interested party who simply wants to get involved in the work of the cluster, check out the Facebook group.
Our Cluster
Greensand Farm Cluster Prospectus 2026
Progress so far
Membership: 30 farmers and landowners, 23 members of the rural community, voluntary, private and statutory organisations
Incorporation: The Greensand Farm cluster is a Not-for-Profit Community Interest Company. Companies House Number 17092842
Steering Group: James Smith, David Catt, Oli Pascall, Macey Willard, Peter Paterson, Charles Tassell, Caroline Jessel
Financial Support: Maidstone Borough Council has funded a baseline ecological survey for the cluster and a facilitator for two years, shared with Marden cluster and employed through Kent Wildlife Trust.
Key Activities: Water quality improvements with focus on the River Beult and Loose Stream, Turtle dove support and habitat improvement, hedgerow health, soil improvement and pesticide/herbicide minimisation.
Information on other farm clusters
Darent Valley Farmer Cluster
Information page
The Darent Valley Farmer Cluster is comprised of farmers and landowners who are committed to sustainably farming and managing this precious landscape, situated in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Marden Farmer Cluster
Information page
Marden farmers are using novel conservation and regenerative farming ideas to enhance the landscape for wildlife. Learn more about their work here.
Farmer Cluster news
Council backs farmer led approach to river and nature restoration
News
Maidstone Borough Council is set to support major river and nature restoration work across the borough with a grant to Kent Wildlife Trust, helping farmers and landowners work together to restore habitats, improve water quality and strengthen climate…
A Darent Valley farmer's World Environment Day experience
Blog
John Dinnis of Filston Farm (part of the Darent Valley Farmer Cluster) wrote this blog about his experience at World Environment Day in Brussels with Defra and UN delegates. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) wanted a farmer to attend…
The art of hedgelaying & why wildlife depends on hedges
Blog
In episode 10 of Talk on the Wild Side, Rob Smith spends a day at Moat Farm for a Healthy Hedgerows workshop. He speaks to a self-confessed hedge geek, a hedgelaying expert and conservationist, a local landowner, and the host of the workshop.