New farming trial in Cumbria could turn wet land into valuable crops
A Cumbrian estate is trialling a new farming method that could change how wet and difficult land is used in the county.
Holker Estate, near Cark-in-Cartmel, has introduced paludiculture, also known as wetter farming. The method involves growing crops on naturally wet land instead of draining it for more traditional farming.
The project is being led by paludiculture project manager David Harvey. It focuses on growing Typha, also known as bulrush, a plant that thrives in waterlogged conditions and can be used to create natural fibres for sustainable materials.
Farming with water, not against it
Wet land has often been seen as a problem for farmers. It can be hard to work, difficult to drain and less suited to many common crops.
Paludiculture takes a different approach. Instead of trying to remove the water, it works with the wet conditions already found on the land.
The aim is to protect the soil, support wildlife and still produce a crop that has commercial value.
David Harvey said paludiculture turns “wet, difficult land” into an opportunity by working with water rather than against it. He said the approach can help protect soil, support biodiversity and produce a valuable crop.
Why Typha is being grown
Holker Estate is cultivating Typha because it grows well in wet ground.
The plant produces natural fibres which can be used in sustainable materials. These include insulation and materials used by the fashion industry.
According to Holker Group, the crop is expected to be used in BioPuff, a natural insulation material used in outdoor clothing by Ponda. The group said the trial is designed as a working model that could be adopted by other farmers facing similar wetland challenges.
The crop was planted using drone technology earlier in 2026. Holker Group said bulrush seeds were placed in clay pellets and spread across a five-acre area of some of the estate’s wettest fields.
Protecting peat soils
One of the key reasons for the trial is the role wet peat soils can play in storing carbon.
When peatland is drained, it can become damaged and release stored carbon. By keeping land wet, projects like this aim to protect peat soils while still allowing farmers to produce useful crops.
Holker’s farm has deep peat soils, high groundwater and a peaty surface, making it well suited to exploring paludiculture. The wider project has looked at how wet farming could provide public benefits while still being commercially viable.
The estate has previously explored several possible wetter farming crops, including sphagnum moss and Typha. Research into the project identified Typha for fibre as one of the strongest options because of its potential use in textiles and insulation.
Could this help other Cumbrian farms?
The trial could be important for other farms with wet or peat-heavy land.
Rather than seeing waterlogged fields as unusable or low-value, paludiculture offers another option. It could allow farmers to grow crops that suit the conditions, while also helping with nature recovery and carbon storage.
The project is still at trial stage, so there will be questions around cost, markets, machinery and long-term returns. Research into the Holker project has already identified challenges, including a lack of established markets, processing infrastructure and clear systems for wetland farming.
Even so, the approach could offer a practical way forward for farms that are under pressure to adapt to climate change, changing land use policy and the need to protect sensitive soils.
Visitors can learn more at SpringFest
The project has already attracted national interest and was recently featured on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today.
Visitors will also be able to hear more about the trial at Holker SpringFest 2026, which takes place at Holker Hall & Gardens on Saturday, May 2n and Sunday, May 3rd, from 10am to 4.30pm.
David Harvey is due to take part in the event, which will also feature expert talks, garden and outdoor living exhibitors, live music and street food.
For Cumbria, the trial is a sign of how farming may need to change in the years ahead. It is not just about producing food or materials. It is also about finding ways to work with the landscape, protect soils and make difficult land useful without causing more environmental damage.
