Orton Fells Farm Cluster

The Orton Fells Farm Cluster is a group of seven farmers whose land covers 4,297 acres (1,738 hectares) excluding the Common Land many of our members have rights to.

We cover a broad spectrum of Upland landscape which is located in the Westmorland Dales National Park, part of the wider Yorkshire Dales National Park and we are located in the parish of Orton in Cumbria.

This area includes the River Lune and some of its tributaries, several Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Great Asby Scar National Nature Reserve, Sunbiggin Tarn, Asby Complex Special Area of Conservation and numerous species rich protected road verges.
The Coast to Coast footpath passes through this area and we welcome many regular visitors.

Our group came to together to protect our environment through a better understanding of our agricultural management practices and their impact on our soil health.

In addition we are keen to understand the wider biodiversity and habitats of our cumulative area and how we can work to improve their connectivity.

Group Topic

Improving our soils

Soils are degrading and affecting the long-term ability for farmers to keep up food production. Reducing compaction and erosion and increasing soil organic matter are the key focus areas of this topic.


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