Nic Renison

I farm near Penrith, Cumbria with my husband, Reno and two daughters. The financial squeezes of conventional hill farming pushed us towards a more ‘regenerative’ approach to our business about ten years ago… Starting off with the grazing, moving to a rotational system, learning how grass likes to grow, realising that if we farm with nature rather than trying to dominate it, it’s better for both our business, livestock and happiness.

Over the last decade we have made many changes, moving away from sheep to cattle and laying hens, reducing inputs significantly, planting over 7 km of hedges and 20 acres of woodland.

It was a trip to Groundswell in 2018 that sparked the idea of holding a regenerative farming conference in Cumbria, Carbon Calling. Run by myself and farmer / consultant Liz Genever, it’s a unique event, with now many spin-off events that happen through the year.