Wednesday 6th May 2026
On a bright, but not so warm day, 12 intrepid DonMoggers assembled at the Allerton Project in time for coffee, tea and biscuits and an introductory session with Joe Stanley, their Head of Sustainable Farming and our guide for the morning, accompanied by his ever-present companions, Ted and Toby, his Jack Russell terriers.
Having mastered the check in screen, (not as easy as it sounds), we assembled in the conference room to learn about the history of the project and the approach that they take to farming and research. The project is an award winning, 320 hectare (800 acre) demonstration farm located on the Loddington Estate. Established in 1992 through a generous donation by Lord and Lady Allerton to the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the project investigates how profitable, commercial farming and wildlife conservation can successfully co-exist. The estate was gifted to the project to research the impacts of different farming methods on the environment. It now:
- influences National policy on conservation and agri-environment;
- provides training and educational sessions, courses and research opportunities for agricultural professionals, PhD students, schools and interested groups; and
- actively demonstrates how food production can go hand in hand with environmental recovery.
Joe talked passionately and engagingly about the project, farming and the issues facing it. We also found out that one of our own, Rim, had lived on the project for a period carrying out research for his PhD, so a trip down memory lane for him.
From the warmth of the Visitors Centre, we set off to walk around part of the farm stopping at various points of interest for Joe to explain some of the issues they were looking to find different solutions to by researching different approaches. When I say ‘we walked’ I mean everyone apart from me walked! Still recovering from surgery Joe drove me between viewing points on the farm ATV. Sadly, Tom found that the terrain had set off his sciatica and so he and Marianne left us early on. Pleased to report that when he and I were in touch the next day, he was improving.
Joe’s passion for farming, encouraging wildlife and developing approaches to food production that looks after the land and gives farmers a living is both infectious and at the same time worrying. I think we all came away from the visit being much more aware of the issues we face as a country and being more determined than ever to increase in our own small ways support for direct farm purchases.
By the end of the farm walk the temperature had definitely dropped a good few degrees, and it was a group of pretty cold Morganeers that arrived at Café Ventoux, a 5 minute drive away, looking forward to warming up over a very welcome lunch.
Paul also managed to get a shot of the 3 MOGs at Café Ventoux – just to show that were some on show that day!
Words – Liz Ellis Photos – Paul Fileman