How we use our land
For almost a century the land and estate at Dartington have been used for research and exploration of new agricultural processes.
Today a regenerative approach is at the heart of everything we do. It supports healthy soils, creates rich wildlife habitat and nurtures the growing community of students, visitors and small enterprises who have come here because they wish to have a deeper connection with the land.
We have a number of tenants who run enterprises using the land to produce food, fungi or flowers or for therapeutic benefit. They also offer real world learning opportunities for students at Schumacher College and Dartington School of Arts.
We have also expanded our outdoor classrooms and research areas and set aside 17 acres through our New Entrant Farming Enterprise Programme to help the next generation of producers who might otherwise find it difficult to access land.
Conservation at Dartington
From dormice to hedgerows and everything in between, conservation work plays a major part in Dartington estate life.
Powered by renewables
A significant proportion of Dartington’s energy is produced via renewables, in the form of our 950kw biomass boiler and 500kh(p) solar-PV array.
Regenerative Farming Incubator Programme
Food, farming and conservation blogs
Dartington tenants to create Chinese Medicine Garden for all to enjoy
A fundraiser to build a Chinese herbal medicine garden has been launched by a group of tenants on the Dartington Estate who want to create a peaceful place for everyone to enjoy.
Undergraduates return to Dartington for the first time in 12 years
The degree builds on the position Dartington continues to carve for itself as an innovator in the teaching of ecological, regenerative approaches to agriculture, land use and culture.
Growing opportunities for students and graduates at Dartington
Seven acres of land has been set aside for use by students and graduates to give them space to experiment with new agro ecological growing techniques.
Dartington student presents at World Congress of Soil Science
MSc Regenerative Food and Farming student Jude Allen writes abotu her recent trip to Glasgow to present her work at World Soil Congress.
Remembering James Lovelock: architect of the Gaia Theory
The scientist was fearless in the face of controversy and was one of the first to raise concerns about the interconnectedness of all life and the potential ecological damage being done to the planet,
Wild orchids are barometers of healthy soil beneath our feet
The presence of thousands of these special plant scattered across the meadows of Dartington Estate reveals the secrets of the health of the soil beneath.
Polytunnels boost self-sufficiency and help beat the ‘hungry gap’
New polytunnels save money and food miles by increasing the amount of ‘home grown’ produce for Schumacher College.
Finding a better wheat for the future
Our horticulture team at Schumacher College are taking part in trials through the South West Grain Network to find new strains of wheat that are grown more effectively in our climate. We catch up with Michael Cooper, one of our horticulture interns this year to find out more…
Trees are not the magic bullet to address climate change
In a month when members of the public have been urged to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’, our conservation warden Mike Newby advises that while trees are valuable at capturing carbon, using our land to address climate change needs a more complex approach.
Government’s food strategy maintaining the status quo – but at what cost?
In response to the Government Food Strategy published today, we consider the lack of detail and focus on developing authentically regenerative practices, and the need for a thoughtful, holistic approach with more immediately tangible action points.