Share Farming Partnership
A Farming Vision for the Future
Nene Park is much bigger than people realise. As well as well-recognised parts of the Park, such as Ferry Meadows and Thorpe Meadows, Nene Park stretches down the River Nene, westwards to Wansford. As it does, the landscape becomes much more rural in character, with flood meadows, grazing cattle and some fantastic wildlife. This area is known as the Rural Estate.
For years, much of the land owned by the Trust in this area, some 500 acres, was tenanted and farmed in a traditional way, which achieved modest amounts of benefit for wildlife and local people. Back in early 2020 Nene Park Trust embarked on a journey to find a new pioneering farmer to work with them, to deliver more nature-friendly farming and in addition, to support the charity’s wider objectives around education, community engagement and environmentally-friendly farming. We were delighted to award the contract to brothers Craig and Ryan Baxter, who began farming the land in October 2020.
Meet the Farmers
Craig Baxter is a graduate of the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, whilst Ryan Baxter is an accountant now working in Peterborough. The brothers grew up in Oundle, and have both returned to pursue their shared passion for farming and rural enterprise. The brothers graze land substantially, under the management practices set out in Countryside Stewardship schemes, which are designed to look after and improve the environment. Craig is at the helm on the day-to-day needs, whilst Ryan is involved in the background in support.
The farming system they adopt brings the basic age-old principles of a grass-based system where sheep lamb outdoors, together with modern technology and data. This means that electronic records exist for each and every animal, detailing everything from date of birth, through to their health plan, the medicines they have received, the illnesses they have experienced and much more! Harnessing the power of this data generates knowledge that allows the selection of high health breeding lines, which in turn reduces the need for medicines, antibiotics and treatment, by selecting from lines which have not been prone to illness or disease.
The Baxters currently farm in the local area, grazing land in Oundle, Kings Cliffe, Yarwell and Old Sulehay, and the partnership with Nene Park Trust has brought them further east onto the Rural Estate.
The Partnership So Far
The Baxter Brothers have worked tirelessly to protect, preserve and enhance the land on the Rural Estate. By introducing native British breeds such as Lleyn and Hebridean sheep and Red Ruby Devon cattle, they have helped create pastures now rich in wildflowers, insects and wildlife. At the heart of the partnership is a deep commitment to animal welfare. Livestock are reared outdoors year-round in a fully forage-based system, allowing them to graze naturally on grass, herbs and wildflowers. This approach supports healthy animals while minimising environmental impact and maximising benefits for nature.
The share farming partnership between Nene Park Trust and the Baxter Brothers has three key aims:
Be kind to our animals
Animal welfare underpins everything we do. Sheep and cattle are reared as naturally as possible, with minimal artificial inputs and plenty of time to grow at their own pace outdoors.
We are voluntarily registered under the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme, ensuring our produce is fully traceable, safe and farmed with care. Most importantly, our animals are slow grown and spend nearly all their lives in the open air, where they can thrive.
Be kind to nature
We farm in harmony with the natural environment, managing the land for the long-term benefit of wildlife and biodiversity. Extensive grazing supports species-rich, wildflower pastures and helps maintain this special landscape.
As responsible stewards, we are voluntarily registered under environmental stewardship schemes and work to protect the many rare plant and animal species that call this landscape home.
Be kind to the environment
Our fully forage-based farming system relies on natural grazing rather than intensive inputs. We carefully restrict artificial sprays and fertilisers, supporting a more sustainable, low-impact approach.
Every stage of the farming cycle is managed locally, meaning the meat produced through the partnership is high-welfare, high-quality and truly hyper-local, travelling only a short distance from the park to your plate. As a result, it carries a significantly lower carbon footprint than intensively reared supermarket meat.
Try Nene Park’s lamb for yourself!
Our lamb is 100% grass-fed, offering wonderfully rich flavour and beautifully tender, succulent cuts. Each piece is expertly butchered locally by the award-winning team at Grasmere Farm.
You can find Nene Park lamb available online through Grasmere Farm, at their butcher shops in Market Deeping, Stamford, Bourne and Deeping St Nicholas, as well as at selected independent farm shops that proudly champion the very best local suppliers.
