Couple transforms inherited farm into nature recovery site

Jessie and Joe Roper, who inherited an 80-acre (32-hectare) farm near Cockermouth in Cumbria, have embarked on a major nature recovery project to secure the future of the land. The decision came after the sudden death of Jessie's father, Jim Parkin, in 2023. Having grown up on Greenbank Farm before moving to Manchester for university 12 years ago, Jessie felt strongly that keeping the land in the family was paramount, even though she lacked formal farming experience.

The transition to life at Greenbank proved challenging for the couple. Joe Roper, who had never worked on a farm previously, described their first year as a difficult adjustment period, marked by incessant rain, flooded cellars, frozen pipes, and equipment failure. Despite these hurdles and the absence of a formal handover from her late father, the couple chose to move back rather than sell the property, ultimately realizing that traditional intensive farming was not the right path for them.

Through research, the couple partnered with the biodiversity organization Environment Bank to transform the land. Their 30-year recovery plan focuses on restoring habitats through controlled cattle grazing and traditional summer hay cuts. Anne Gray, a senior land manager at Environment Bank, emphasized that such projects are vital in addressing the significant biodiversity loss the UK has experienced over several decades, while simultaneously providing a secure, diversified income for landowners.

Financial security played a significant role in their decision. The partnership provides Greenbank Farm with steady lease payments and funding for land management tasks. Jessie highlighted the importance of this 30-year guarantee, noting that relying solely on traditional haylage production left them vulnerable to unpredictable weather conditions, which had previously caused significant profit loss. The project now serves as a sustainable diversification strategy for the family.

While the project initially faced skepticism from neighboring farmers, Jessie and Joe remain committed to their vision. Joe believes his late father-in-law, who had a deep appreciation for nature, would have fully supported the plan. By managing the land in harmony with environmental outcomes, the Ropers are transforming Greenbank Farm into a beacon of sustainable land management that supports both the local rural economy and the restoration of Britain’s native wildlife.