Growing Responsibly: Our Carbon Reduction Journey
At Pollybell Farms, sustainability is built into how we grow. Across our land, water, energy and crop systems, we are investing in practical projects that reduce our environmental impact, improve resilience and support our long-term ambition to move towards net zero.
Low-Carbon Energy and Water Security
Our reservoir and ring main irrigation system help secure water for the whole farm, with winter abstraction reducing pressure during the growing season. Positioned on the reservoir is our floating solar array, which generates renewable energy for our packhouse and irrigation pumphouse.
The floating solar system brings additional benefits too: helping reduce water evaporation and improving panel performance by using the cooling effect of the water beneath.
Through our Innovate UK-backed Floatovoltaics Optimisation project with Cranfield University, we are now assessing how energy and water use can be monitored and optimised across the business. The next stage is to develop Pollybell as an exemplar for integrated water and energy management in irrigated agriculture.
Carbon Sequestration Through Biochar
Our Reverse Coal project is exploring carbon capture and long-term storage through the production of biochar. The system is designed to sequester around 900 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually, while also generating renewable heat, syngas and CO₂ for on-farm use.
This work supports our ambition to produce low-carbon, and potentially carbon-negative, fresh produce.
Building Carbon-Negative Organic Food Systems
We are trialling the use of biochar mixed with farmyard manure, compost teas and organic amendments to improve soil structure, nutrient retention and microbial activity.
Early evidence suggests improvements in crop quality indicators such as brix levels, which may support plant health and natural pest resilience. In 2026, we are assessing optimal biochar application rates and soil integration methods as part of our carbon insetting strategy.
Precision Farming and Robotic Weeding
Pollybell Farms co-founded Earth Rover ( CLAWS Autonomous Farming Robot — Earth Rover ), an AgriTech business using robotics and concentrated light to identify and kill weeds in the field.
The technology helps reduce reliance on hand and mechanical weeding, while the scouting module supports more targeted crop management.
Peatland Management
Around 20% of our land is deep peat, which brings both productivity and carbon challenges. We are working with UKCEH to understand how we can reduce and offset peatland emissions while maintaining a commercial vegetable-growing business.
This includes trialling biomass feedstocks and exploring the potential to rewet small, targeted areas of peatland where emissions are highest.
Protecting Wildlife and Special Habitats
We manage two Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including permanent wetland and seasonally flooded habitat for winter waders and wildfowl.
Since 2021, we have carried out monthly bird surveys across five 1km transect sites. Pollybell has been recognised as a significant site for farmland birds and received Life on Land awards from Red List Revival for being in the top 1% for observed Lapwing and Turtle Dove density.
We have also created Turtle Dove habitat and installed additional sparrow, little owl and barn owl boxes across the farm.
Across the estate, we manage 46.5km of hedgerows, with a further 2.2km being planted in 2026. We also maintain field margins and buffer strips to protect water quality and provide vital habitats for wildlife, pollinators and beneficial insects.
Farming for the Future
From renewable energy and biochar to peatland management, biodiversity protection and robotic crop care, our focus is on practical innovation that strengthens the resilience of British agriculture.
Our goal is simple: to grow high-quality organic produce while reducing our impact on the planet.