Planton Farm, set in the Shropshire Hills, is home to Clare Hill and Ruth Layton, who are pioneering regenerative livestock farming and supporting others in the industry. Beyond farming, they work closely with farmers and food businesses, helping them explore and implement regenerative practices through workshops, farm tours, and consultancy.
When Clare and her family arrived in 2022, they began restoring the neglected 80-acre farm—not by recreating the past, but by learning from it. By combining historical land use with modern regenerative principles, they designed a system that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and nutrient-dense food production.
A key example is their wood pasture restoration in “The Rough,” where historical maps and ecological observations informed a grazing model that integrates livestock with tree regeneration. This approach enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and provides natural shade and forage for animals.
Planton Farm focuses on nutrition per acre rather than yield, producing meat and eggs rich in micro and phytonutrients. Their regenerative enterprises include:
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Cattle – Pasture For Life certified suckler herd on a natural weaning system
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Pigs – Native breed weaners, with plans for a forage-only system
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Pastured Poultry – Organic slow-growing chickens and laying hens, including the Impeckable dual-purpose breed
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Market Garden – Supplying local produce through a share farming agreement
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Forest Garden – A diverse agroforestry system integrating trees, poultry, and cattle
To track regeneration, they monitor soil health with Soil Mentor, measure carbon with Agricarbon, and assess ecosystem health with Savory Institute’s Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV). Currently in organic conversion with OF&G, their first certified organic beef will be available in 2026.
Alongside farming, Planton Farm is committed to supporting others on their regenerative journey. Through tailored workshops, farm tours, and consultancy, they help farmers and food businesses understand what regenerative agriculture means for them and how to apply it in their own operations