Sustainability
Sustainability and Conservation
Sheepdrove Organic Farm, two thousand acres of green pastures, wildflower meadows, ancient woodland and fields of heritage grains on chalk downland, is a pioneer of sustainable, regenerative and organic farming. Juliet and Peter Kindersley, founders of innovative information publisher DK, converted the farm to organic over a quarter of a century ago, their interest driven by a desire to set up a model for sustainable agriculture and a passionate concern for animal welfare. They remain committed to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
- Two 5kw wind turbines (installed 2012) on farm generate wind energy
- 900 solar panels on barns and sheds generate 210kW solar power
- Sustainable green building design with Douglas Fir timber frame, rammed chalk wall and Western Red Cedar shingles
- Abundant natural light throughout interior combined with energy efficient LED lights
- Energy efficient natural air ventilation system reduces need for cooling
- Reed bed system purifies waste water from farm buildings and cottages
- Lake created by recycling water supports bird, fish and invertebrate populations
- Recycled water overflows from lake to a willow plantation before soaking back to the aquifer
- Carbon emission controlling with 100% green electricity
- Rest rooms feature eco-friendly recycled materials, waterless urinals and water saving taps
- Recycled bottle water from on-farm spring
- Electrically powered vehicles where possible
- Soil sequestration through organic and regenerative farming practices
- Diverse wildlife habitats to promote biodiversity created throughout the farm
- Thousands of trees and miles of hedgerows planted to provide a natural carbon sink
- Innovative farming systems including alley cropping, wild bird seed strips, clover-rich permanent pasture, living mulches, wildflower meadows and rewilding project enhance environmental outcomes on the farm
- Organic farming practices reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, use less energy and no pesticides, better for resident wildlife as well as people who live close by
- Sheepdrove is continually working to improve the sustainable management of energy, water, soil and other natural resources not only on the farm itself, but in the green events venue and the farm stays. We continue to invest in our natural heritage, with projects to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
- Operationally net zero carbon building with all electricity used on site, including for heating and cooling, from renewable sources either from our own solar and wind installations or 100% renewable green electricity from Ecotricity
- Ground source heat pump harvests heat from the earth to power the central heating and cooling systems in farm offices and events venue
- Rewilding pulls carbon out of the air and stores it in soil, trees and species-rich grasslands. Sheepdrove’s rewilding journey began in 2021 and we have put in place a robust monitoring programme with ornithology, botany, invertebrate and carbon capture measured.
Our award-winning building ensures our carbon footprint is kept to a minimum. Here’s how…
Construction
The building sits on the ‘footprint’ of the previous farm office to minimise the physical demands on land
Materials from the demolition of the redundant buildings were re-used
Chalk from the excavations was re-used to create the “rammed earth” walls
New timber products are from responsibly managed and renewable sources
No PVC was used in the centre, including electrical wiring
Toilet cubicle partitions are made from recycled toothpaste tubes and wash basin panels from recycled CDs
Energy
Heating and cooling delivered by a ground source heat pump powered by 100% renewable energy
High levels of insulation reduce heating requirement
Heat exchangers used in the kitchen to recover heat
Natural daylight bathes the interior minimising electric lighting
Water
Water is drawn from a 300ft deep well located on site
Water is recycled by a reedbed system; when clean, it returns to the water table
Rainwater captured by the roof goes into the reedbed system offsetting water demands
Awards for Sheepdrove include
Civic Trust Special Award. Sustainability Award. Level of Award. Special Award. Region. South East. 2005
First place in Green Award category of the Event Awards 2008
RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award 2012
Building Biodiversity Sustainable Wedding Award 2023
Net Zero Leader Sustainable Wedding Award 2023
Green Tourism Gold Award 2023
Green Meetings Gold Award 2023
Reedbed System
The reedbed system at Sheepdrove was installed in spring 2002. Reedbeds treatment systems, sometimes called treatment wetlands, are zero energy input, low-tech, high efficiency wastewater treatment systems that use growing wetland plants to clean waste water sufficiently to discharge back into the environment.
