Wakelyns Agroforestry:

Resilience through diversity

Photo: Maja Lindstrom, paradigmshiftfilm.com

Jo Smith and Sally Westaway

2020
Wakelyns Agroforestry: the evolution of an idea Wakelyns timeline
Wakelyns Agroforestry, surrounded by a sea of large-scale conventional arable production, is an oasis
of trees, alive with bird song and insects. Integrating trees for timber, energy and fruit production into
an organic crop rotation, Wakelyns was established by the late plant pathologist, Prof. Martin Wolfe, to
put into action his theories of agrobiodiversity being the answer to achieving sustainable and resilient
agriculture. For two decades the farm has been the focus of research into organic crop production and
agroforestry. In this review, we summarise some of the key theories investigated and the evidence produced
by Martin and fellow researchers from the Organic Research Centre.

2019

2017

2016

2013

2012

2010

2009

Martin and Ann Wolfe bought the fields that became Wakelyns would be achieved by moving away from the industrialised
2007
Agroforestry in 1992, with the intention of trialling new monoculture approach towards polycultures with major
farming systems and methods that were highly productive increases in diversity both within and among crops, trees and
and sustainable without the necessity of inputs from outside
the farm. Their aim was to provide both scientific evidence
livestock. Martin’s early research showed how, for example,
mixing just three varieties of cereal crop together in one
2003
and a practical demonstration that alternative ways of food field could restrict disease and stabilise crop yields. This
production are not only possible but advantageous. simple principle has been extended to mixtures of species
When bought by Martin and Ann, the farm had been under
and ultimately to agroforestry systems involving multiple 2002
combinations of crops, from annual cereals and vegetables to
intensive chemically-aided crop production for many
perennial herbs and trees, together with livestock.
years. Over the next few years they began the process of
transforming the fields into the verdant haven that you
encounter today when arriving at Wakelyns.
At Wakelyns four different agroforestry systems, based
on a maximum use of biodiversity, were developed and 2001
contrasted. The agroforestry fields have been the site of many
Diversity at all levels underpins the philosophy and approach
years of research trials and demonstrations, working closely
to the development of Wakelyns Agroforestry. Martin firmly
believed that the future of sustainable agriculture was rooted
with the Organic Research Centre and other partners, to build
up evidence on the production of a wide range of products
1994
in Darwinian evolutionary processes, where adaptation
from the agroforestry systems, and the delivery of a number
to the agricultural abiotic and biotic environment leads
of important ecosystem services such as maintaining soil
to increases in overall productivity and resilience. This
fertility and health and biodiversity enhancement.

2 Wakelyns Agroforestry: Resilience through diversity 3

Wakelyns Agroforestry
Wakelyns Agroforestry is a 22.5 ha innovative farm situated right in the arable heartland of eastern England. The farm incorporates
four silvoarable agroforestry systems into an organic arable rotation.
Location: Suffolk, East Anglia, 52.36°N, 1.35°E
Climate annual averages: Rainfall 606 mm, sunshine 1535 hours, minimum/maximum temperature 6.0 °C / 13.8 °C.
Soils: Clay loam over chalk with clay content of 25-30%, pH 8.0, organic matter approximately 3.5%, and low indices for P and K.
All trees are planted in north-south rows, with an organic arable and vegetable crop rotation grown in the 10-12 m wide alleys between
the tree rows. Timber trees were planted in pairs of the same species. Lower limbs have been pruned to maintain form and facilitate crop A mixed hardwood and fruit tree system with eight
management. Coppicing of the hazel and willow short rotation coppice is carried out in winter using a circular saw; cut material is then different species (Fields 1&2): Planted Feb 1994. Far
air dried in the field during summer and chipped the following winter to feed a Gilles 20 kW woodchip boiler which heats the farmhouse. Field (1) seven timber species (Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Fields 6a, 6b, 8 and 9 were
Over the years, a wealth of data has been collected on all elements of the different systems including tree growth and productivity, annual Wild Cherry (Prunus avium), Italian Alder (Alnus cordata), left unplanted for use as
and perennial crop yields, pest and disease incidence, functional biodiversity and whole system sustainability. Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata), Sycamore (Acer control plots, with 8 and 9
pseudoplatanus), Oak (Quercus petraea), Hornbeam remaining as permanent
(Carpinus betulus)); Water Field (2) timber tree mix, plus pasture and 6a and b
42 apple trees of 21 heritage varieties incorporated within the
7 1
arable rotation.

A fruit and nut tree system (Fields 3&7): Planted February Hazel short rotation coppice (Field 4): Planted in February
5 2001. Home Field (3) tree rows partially planted to fruit 1995 with 1200 hazel (Corylus avellena) bushes, each
Willow short rotation coppice (Field 5): Planted in and nut trees (plum, cherry, apple, pear, quince, apricot, individual genetically distinct; alternate rows coppiced
March 1998 with a mixture of five fast-growing willow peach, hazel), each of multiple varieties. North Field (7) every five years for woodchip production.
(Salix viminalis) varieties; each row coppiced every two 20 walnut trees and in January 2002 interspersed with
years for woodchip production. varieties of plum and walnuts. Aerial photos: Jeremy Gugenheim

4 Wakelyns Agroforestry: Resilience through diversity 5

 Diversity at all levels: from genes to landscape
Cereal Populations -
Coping
Embedded in ecological theories With diversity
linking biological Unpredictable Weather
to stability in plant productivity and Species mixtures Diversity to reduce disease
increased resilience, Wakelyns is a model of heterogeneity both at the genetic level as well as in terms of As well as aiming to increase within species diversity, This species mixture approach was extended to the trees,
habitat structure. There are various approaches toAnd Climate
increasing genetic diversity, including mixing different various crop trials at Wakelyns have also explored the with eight different species mixed together in the timber
best ways to optimise species diversity, including diverse system. The benefit of including apple trees in this mix
varieties of the same crop as well as mixing different species.
fertility-building leys containing up to 15 species (Döring was investigated in 2012 as part of a project investigating
et al, 2013). This trial, which was part of a series of on- alternative approaches to reducing apple diseases (Smith et
farm trials of the same mixture against single species leys, al 2016). Comparing apples in the agroforestry and a nearby
found that by using mixtures of functionally diverse plant organic orchard, the levels of the fungal disease apple scab
WHAT ISpopulations
Cereal A POPULATION? species, synergies between agricultural productivity and
other ecosystem services can be optimised and fine-tuned
(Venturia inaequalis) in the developing fruit were twice as
high in the orchard as in the agroforestry system (Fig. 2).
All plants ina asteppopulation
Martin went aregenetic
further to increase genetically distinct
diversity with whileofall of those in a pure line variety
the development to farm-specific needs. Intercropping combinations have
100
area ‘composite
(almost) crossidentical. This
population’ or CCP in themeans that
UK (Döring et populations
al 2015). To produce a are better able to adapt to also been investigated, combining wheat and beans, and in
CCP parent plants from a range of wheat varieties chosen for particular qualities recent years, lentils and camelina. 90
unpredictable
were crossed, theenvironments.
seeds from each cross multiplied and then combined, rather than 80

% scab incidence (± sem)
separated into pure lines, to produce the first CCP generation. The theory behind
CREATING A POPULATION
this evolutionary plant breeding approach is that natural selection then acts on the
70
60
A Composite Cross Population (CCP) is
genetically diverse crop population leading to local adaptation. Furthermore, genetic
diversity can ensure yield stability over time and across different locations. This 50
created byWakelyns
ability of the inter-crossing
wheat CCP to respond (by to localhand)
conditions was demonstrated 40
selected
in 2012 when parent varieties
a wet autumn interrupted drilling ofin all wheat trials at
the winter
30
Wakelyns. The cereals drilled at the optimum time all established well (Fig. 1a) but
combinations. The a couple
when drilling was delayed resulting
of weeks byF1heavy hybrid
rain, the plots of the Alchemy 20
plants produce
variety failed whilesegregating
the CCP successfullyF2 populations
established (Fig. 1b). 10
which areCCPs
Growing bulked together
under agroforestry couldand
lead togrown in of ‘varieties’
the development 0
that are particularly well adapted to growing in close proximity to trees or even Agroforestry Orchard Agroforestry Orchard
theat different
field. positionsSegregation andPilot natural
in relation to the trees. work carried out under the
July August
selection
AGFORWARD over a investigated
project numberthisofconcept generations
by comparing yields of a spring  
wheat CCP that had been developed into three populations based on where they The parental crosses Figure 2: Incidence of scab disease in maturing apples at
then leads to populations comprising very
had been harvested (East of the Tree line (EOT), West of the Tree line (WOT), Wakelyns Agroforestry and a local organic orchard in 2012.
involved in creating the
large numbers
and Centre of ethomozygous
of the alley (Smith but
al, 2017)). Replicated cross-over trials found
ORC YQ CCP There are a few possible explanations for this disease
genetically
no differencedistinct lines.
between the populations in the first year, but in the second
significant difference was found between the two ‘edge’ populations, with the EOT
year a
reduction in the agroforestry apples:

POPULATIONS ARE RESILIENT IN accumulate

POOR CONDITIONS
selection yielding 35% more than the WOT selection. Whether the EOT selection
is better adapted to a silvoarable context, or the WOT may instead
●● A greater distance between tree rows in agroforestry
systems, with crops in the adjoining alleys, reduces the
Thisseed-borne
year (2012-13)
diseases duemany
to higherautumn
persistencesown wheat
of humidity crops
on the failed
western side due to a range of factors including spread of pathogens.
of the tree row, is not clear. This experiment indicates that the yield potential
the poor weather conditions, forcing late drilling, and high levels of Fusarium infection in the ●● Lower densities of trees compared with orchards,
of a wheat population can be influenced by the position in an alley where it has favouring increased air circulation; this reduces the
seedbeencrop. TheHowever,
multiplied. trials ithere
may bedemonstrate that,
unrealistic to expect unlike
farmers to drillthe YQ Population, the pure-line variety
different severity of scab by reducing leaf wetness duration.
Alchemy failed
populations when
within an alleydrilled
and the only nine
real value maydays later
lie in using the(25th October) than the plots in which both
microclimatic ●● Regular cultivations within the crop alleys incorporates
variation within agroforestry alleys to breed cereals that are more shade tolerant
crops established well (drilled 16th October). The photos below from June 2013 demonstrate, leaf litter into the soil, thus enhancing decomposition and
or competitive for obtaining resources. reducing the risk of re-inoculation from overwintered
dramatically, the advantages of the greater genetic diversity in populations. scabbed leaves the following spring.
a) Drilled 16th October 2012 b) Drilled 25th October 2012

Biodiversity
ALCHEMY
ALCHEMY Adding trees into the mixture has increased the diversity of
habitats as well as species, leading to the creation of different
niches that support higher biodiversity of insects, birds and
mammals. An RSPB farm bird survey carried out at Wakelyns
in 2010 recorded 43 species, which included eight species
POPULATION POPULATION on the farmland bird indicator species list as well as several
species commonly found in woodlands, orchards, parks
and gardens (blackcap, bullfinch, chiffchaff, great spotted
woodpecker). This range of species demonstrates the various
habitats provided by the agroforestry, appealing to species
characteristic of farmed as well as wooded habitats.
Figure 1: The trials above demonstrate that, unlike the population, the pure-line variety Alchemy failed when drilled only nine days later
than the plots in which both crops established well, demonstrating the advantages of the greater genetic diversity in populations.

6 Wakelyns Agroforestry: Resilience through diversity 7

Decentralising food and energy production
A key element of the research at Wakelyns has been to investigate different approaches to decentralise
and localise agriculture, food and energy production and to provide a model to both prove the concept How many trees are needed to heat a farmhouse?
and act as a demonstration for others. A typical 20 kW farmhouse boiler such as the one at Wakelyns uses approximately 80 m3 of woodchip/year. Therefore,
based on the calculations in Table 1:
●● 2800 m of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) – double rows of willow or hazel – is needed to heat the farmhouse. Converting
into field area with 3 m wide tree rows and 10 m wide alleys this equates to approximately 3.62 ha of agroforestry.
●● 320 m of hedgerow is needed every year to heat the farmhouse; on a 15-year harvesting rotation, a total of 4.8 km of
hedgerow would need to be in a coppice rotation to meet this demand.
●● Wakelyns Agroforestry has 3.7 km of boundary hedgerow, 2.18 km (3.2 ha) of willow SRC, and 1.5 km (2.4 ha) of hazel SRC as
alley cropping agroforestry, so is easily able to meet this need (Table 1).

Table 1: Woodchip production at Wakelyns (Smith et al. 2017; Westaway and Smith, 2018)

Length (m) at Number of trees Volume of woodchip Coppice rotation Length coppice in Annual woodchip
Wakelyns per m per m (m3) length (years) one year (m) production (m3)

Willow SRC 2175 1.65 0.0574 2 1087.5 62.42

Martin and Ann very successfully achieved
decentralised local energy by using the Hazel SRC 1500 1.33 0.1432 5 300 42.96
short rotation coppice (SRC) agroforestry Boundary hedge 3700 variable 0.25 15 247 61.75
tree rows and traditional field boundary
hedgerows to produce woodchip for fuel.
Woodchip from the SRC and the hedges is
used to power a small 20 kW boiler which
provides the year-round heat requirements
for the farmhouse with additional woodchip
left over for other purposes. The coppice
species used for woodchip production are
hazel (Corylus avellana), cut on a five-year
rotation and willow (Salix viminalis), cut on
a two-year rotation. Harvesting is carried
out in winter using a tractor mounted
circular saw and chipped the following
summer using a small hand fed chipper.

From field to boiler. Willow harvested, dried and chipped to feed

into a woodchip boiler that heats the farmhouse.

Biomass production of the SRC

willow has been measured since
2011 and the hazel since 2014 (Smith
et al, 2017). The two species of SRC
produce very similar yields under
current rotations when converted
to annual biomass production
(2.87m3/100m/year). This gives two
options; a willow system where the
canopy is removed every other year
so reducing the amount of shade on
the alley crops, but requiring more
frequent harvest (and potentially
more competitive with crops for
water and nutrients) versus a hazel
system with slower growing trees,
potentially casting more shade, but One of the mature mixed species Wakelyns boundary hedges showing regrowth two
with fewer harvests to achieve the years after coppicing; tree ring counts indicated that it had been 21 years since the
same yield. hedge was last cut.

8 Wakelyns Agroforestry: Resilience through diversity 9

Decentralised food and non-food production Ramial woodchip trials
Trees have the ability to access and cycle soil nutrients in the deeper soil horizons that are not available
to annual crops. Harvesting and chipping tree branches and applying this fresh ‘ramial’ woodchip to the
soil increases the availability of these nutrients to vegetable and cereal crops. Ramial woodchip has also
been shown to increase soil organic matter and promote soil biological activity (Lemieux and Germain,
2000). ORC has been investigating this potential and using some of the additional woodchip produced at
Wakelyns as part of a trial investigating Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW) as a soil improver.

The diverse range of produce that has originated

from Wakelyns over the years demonstrates
how truly productive a small plot of land can be.
Products have included bioenergy from willow
and hazel coppice, timber, fruit, vegetables,
cereals and pulses, nuts, cider and craft materials
from the willow and hazel.
Martin and Ann’s core ethos of decentralising
food production led them to work with the
local community and local businesses to enable
food produced locally to be consumed locally
and challenge multinational models of food
production and distribution. They helped the
local shop remain open as a community shop
and worked closely with the champion of UK
grown pulses Hodmedod’s, playing host to some
of Hodmedod’s early naked barley trials and
pioneering at Wakelyns, amongst other things,
British grown lentils.
Lunch was an important part of any event at the
farm, with visitors encouraged to enjoy eating the
produce from the farm including the wild harvest
of sausage rolls made from muntjac deer from the
farm in partnership with a local deerstalker. Sampling earthworms in the RCW trial plots at Wakelyns 2018

RCW is made by chipping small (<7cm) diameter branches The RCW trial at Wakelyns is one of three on-farm trials in
and twigs with a high proportion of buds and bark and the UK investigating the use of woodchip as a soil improver
applying the chip fresh to the soil in the ley phase of an and is unique in comparing single species SRC woodchip
organic rotation. It can be produced from hedges or short (willow, hazel and poplar) with mixed hedge woodchip and
rotation coppice (SRC) agroforestry and provides a further a control of no woodchip input. These trials are ongoing
piece in the jigsaw of decentralising food production. RCW (Westaway 2019) but results so far have been positive and
gives the potential ability to grow your own soil fertility and woodchip from SRC agroforestry looks like it could have
organic matter thereby using perennial crops to improve potential in arable and horticultural cropping systems as an
soils that are part of an annual crop rotation. on-farm source of fertility and soil organic matter.

RCW woodchip piles from the three different SRC species at Wakelyns

10 Wakelyns Agroforestry: Resilience through diversity 11

Tree/crop interactions
The productivity of an agroforestry system is determined by the balance between positive and negative And finally the LER combining all of the agroforestry 16.00

interactions between the tree and agricultural components. The design and management of agroforestry systems on the farm for one year was calculated using 14.00
the SustainFARM Public Goods Tool (see Page 14). This
systems should aim to maximise positive interactions that lead to complementary use of resources and returned an LER of 1.34, suggesting that there is a 34% 12.00

minimise negative interactions that result in competition for resources.

Tree height (m)
yield advantage for agroforestry compared to when the 10.00

Page 12‐13: Tree/crop interactions   Deleted: : components are grown separately as monocultures. 8.00

A main hypothesis in agroforestry research is that while An LER of 1 indicates that there is no yield advantage of
The productivity of an agroforestry system is determined by the balance between positive and 
6.00

productivity
be lower
from
than
individual
if grown
agroforestry
in a
components
monoculture, overall
the agroforestry system compared to the monocrops, while
negative interactions between the tree and agricultural components. The design and management 
may an LER of 1.1 indicates a 10 % yield advantage, i.e. under
Looking forward 4.00

of agroforestry systems should aim to maximise positive interactions that lead to complementary  2.00
productivity is higher in agroforestry systems compared monocultures, 10 % more land would be needed to match
use of resources and minimise negative interactions that result in competition for resources. 
As the agroforestry systems at Wakelyns age, the
0.00
to monocropping systems due to complementarity in yields from intercropping. The LER reflects the ability of interactions between the trees and crops are changing. In
resource-capture. The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) is a crops to partition resources in space and time. We have
A main hypothesis in agroforestry research is that while productivity from individual agroforestry  the SRC systems, the regular coppicing of the trees means
means of comparing productivity of intercropping (e.g. calculated the LER at Wakelyns in three different ways: for
components may be lower than if grown in a monoculture, overall productivity is higher in  that aboveground competition for light is controlled and it Ash Cherry Hornbeam Italian alder Lime Oak Sycamore
is likely that arable cropping can continue in the alleys for  
agroforestry) and monocropping systems. It is calculated as a specific system over a single growing season; for a full
agroforestry systems compared to monocropping systems due to complementarity in resource‐
years to come, potentially until the trees need replacing. In Figure 3: Tree height (m) of the timber trees at Wakelyns,
the ratio of the area needed under sole cropping to the area arable crop rotation in a specific system; and for all of the
capture. The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) is a means of comparing productivity of intercropping (e.g. 
contrast, the timber trees have grown to heights of up to planted in 1994
of intercropping at the same management level to obtain a agroforestry systems on the farm for a single year.
agroforestry) and monocropping systems. It is calculated as the ratio of the area needed under sole 
particular yield.
cropping to the area of intercropping at the same management level to obtain a particular yield.   13m (Figure 3) and viewed from above, the system is now
Overall productivity (as oven dry weights) in the willow SRC the trees to reduce tree densities and open up the canopy
starting to resemble a woodland (Figure 4). The shading
agroforestry system and the no-tree control at Wakelyns or to convert the alleys to pasture and introduce grazing
LER = 
்௥௘௘௔௚௥௢௙௢௥௘௦௧௥௬௬௜௘௟ௗ
൅
௅௘௬௔௚௥௢௙௢௥௘௦௧௥௬௬௜௘௟ௗ
   impacts on crop yields are likely to mean that commercial
்௥௘௘௠௢௡௢௖௨௟௧௨௥௘௬௜௘௟ௗ ௅௘௬௠௢௡௢௖௨௟௧௨௥௘௬௜௘௟ௗ was compared using the data collected in 2012 and 2013 animals to the system. Natural tree regeneration has been
arable cropping will be eventually unviable; however, over
on biomass production of the ley and woodchip production occurring between the planted trees and when you look
A LER of 1 indicates that there is no yield advantage of the agroforestry system compared to the  recent years, Martin introduced pollarding to manage the
from the willow. across the tree rows, you can now see a wonderfully diverse,
monocrops, while an LER of 1.1 indicates a 10 % yield advantage i.e. under monocultures, 10 % more  tree canopies and provide more light into the alleys. An
alternative approach would be to selectively thin or harvest mixed-age, low-density deciduous woodland.
land would be needed to match yields from intercropping. The LER reflects the ability of crops to 
partition resources in space and time. We have calculated the LER at Wakelyns in three different 
BIOENERGY 3.69 t/ha BIOENERGY 5.94 t/ha
ways: for a specific system over a single growing season; for a full arable crop rotation in a specific 
system; and for all of the agroforestry systems on the farm for a single year. 

Overall productivity (as oven dry weights) in the willow SRC agroforestry system and the no‐tree 
control at Wakelyns was compared using the data collected in 2012 and 2013 on biomass production 
LEY 5.92 t/ha LEY 2.55 t/ha
of the ley and fodder and woodchip production from the willow. 
AGROFORESTRY 9.61 t/ha AGROFORESTRY 8.49 t/ha
2012 2013
NO TREE CONTROL 8.97 t/ha NO TREE CONTROL 3.52 t/ha

LEY 8.97 t/ha LEY 3.52 t/ha

Biomass production in the agroforestry and      no-tree control in 2012 and 2013 (a standard   SRC willow plantation yield of 8.33
t/ha was used for the no tree control)
Figure x. Biomass production in the agroforestry and no‐tree control in 2012 and 2013 (a standard SRC willow 
productivity, probably due to competition at the alley edge, and a reduction in land area under ley 
plantation yield of 8.33 t/ha was used for the no tree control) 
The LER for 2012 was 1.10 (LER = (3.69/8.33) + (77 % of land area), overall productivity was higher in the agroforestry system in both years. In 2013 
approach can help buffer against fluctuations in yields by
The LER for 2012 was 1.10 (LER = (3.69/8.33) + (5.92/8.97)) and in 2013 was 1.44 (LER = (5.94/8.33) + 
when ley productivity was low in both systems, overall productivity was much higher in the 
(5.92/8.97)) and in 2013 was 1.44 (LER = (5.94/8.33) + spreading the risk across a number of components.
(2.55/3.52)). This equates to a 10 % yield advantage for agroforestry in 2012 and a 44 % yield 
(2.55/3.52)). This equates to a 10 % yield advantage agroforestry (8.75 odt/ha compared with 3.52 odt/ha, and a LER of 1.44), with increased wood 
for
The LER for a full arable crop rotation (and three willow
advantage in 2013. These calculations demonstrate that while there was a reduction in ley 
agroforestry in 2012 and a 44 % yield advantage biomass production compensating for the lower ley yields in the agroforestry. This suggests that an 
in 2013.
SRC harvests) of six years (spring wheat/ley/potato/
agroforestry approach can help buffer against fluctuations in yields by spreading the risk across a 
These calculations demonstrate that while there was a
ley/winter squash/ley) was calculated using a modelling
number of components.  
reduction in ley productivity, probably due to competition
approach (Smith et al 2017). Using a special agroforestry
at the alley edge, and a reduction in land area under The  ley
LER  for  a  full  arable called
crop  rotation  (and  three  willow  SRC  harvests)  of and
six  years 
model Yield-SAFE, it was possible to model thus (spring 
(77 % of land area), overall productivity was higher in
wheat/ley/potato/ley/winter 
compare the yields that might be expected at Wakelyns(Smith 
squash/ley)  was  calculated  using  a  modelling  approach  as a et  al 
the agroforestry system in both years. In 2013 when ley
2017).    Using  a  special  agroforestry  model  called  Yield‐SAFE,  it  was  possible  to  model  and  thus 
pure arable system, a pure willow SRC system and a willow-
productivity was low in both systems, overall productivitycompare the yields that might be expected at Wakelyns as a pure arable system, a pure willow SRC 
arable agroforestry system. The LER was calculated as:
was much higher in the agroforestry (8.49 odt/hasystem and a willow‐arable agroforestry system. The LER was calculated as: 
compared
with 3.52 odt/ha, and an LER of 1.44), with increased wood
42.81 14.34
biomass production compensating for the lower ley yields ��� � � � 0.91 � 0.4� � �. �� 
46.79 32.07 Figure 4: Aerial view of the mixed timber system. Photo: Jeremy Gugenheim.
in the agroforestry. This suggests that an agroforestry
And finally the LER combining all of the agroforestry systems on the farm for one year was calculated 
using the SustainFARM Public Goods Tool (see Page 14). This returned an LER of 1.34, suggesting 
12 Wakelyns Agroforestry:
that there is a 34% yield advantage for agroforestry compared to when the components are grown 
Resilience through diversity 13
Sustainability The story of Wakelyns, an inspiration to all
Agroforestry systems such as Wakelyns are often promoted as sustainable alternatives to the highly Since Martin and Ann first started planting trees, Wakelyns has played host to thousands of visitors from
industrialised agricultural model with its associated negative environmental externalities. However, our across the world, inspiring and motivating farmers, foresters, growers, students, researchers, bakers, artists,
research often focuses on just a single factor (or limited range) of sustainability measures. A combined politicians, industry, conservationists…….. Although he must have given literally hundreds of tours of the
approach applying a range of tools and metrics can help to reveal costs and benefits from a range of farm over the years, Martin still retained and conveyed his enthusiasm for sharing the Wakelyns message.
perspectives (environmental, economic, social) and help determine the extent to which contrasting
agroforestry systems can deliver on a range of sustainability objectives. Kimberley Bell Maria Finckh
Kimberley Bell of the Maria Finckh, professor of organic farming at University
ORC used a comprehensive sustainability assessment tool, As a diverse organic farm, Wakelyns scores highly across Small Food Bakery first of Kassel, based at Witzenhausen, has been part of the
the SustainFARM Public Goods Tool, which is modified nearly all the spurs (Fig. 5), achieving a top score in soil visited Wakelyns in 2017; Wakelyns story from the start:
for agroforestry systems, to consider the many aspects of management and agricultural systems diversity. Its lowest this visit changed not only
sustainability (ORC 2019; Smith 2019). The assessment takes score is for the NPK balance; currently the fertility building “Some very special times were the planting of trees at
her bread, but the whole
a broad approach, using information that a farmer would have legume ley fixes more nitrogen than is exported in crops, Wakelyns in 1994 and 1995 and the beginnings of the work
philosophical framework
in their farm records already and covers a specific 12-month thus risking leaching of nitrogen from the farm. with the CCPs. Martin’s vision was to enhance diversity
around the bakery:
period. It takes between 30 minutes and an hour to complete, among crops and within crops. This has inspired scientists
An energy and emissions audit was carried out at “As bakers, we went to across Europe and the wheat composite cross populations
depending on the complexity of the farm. It assesses a farm
Wakelyns in 2009; this assessed energy production Martin looking for a (CCPs) are now in the F18, growing from Hungary to the UK.”
on a number of areas (spurs) which may be impacted by
and consumption of the farm business including the sustainable wheat, having
agricultural management practices and are related to public
domestic property (Smith, 2009). The whole estate energy read a snippet about
goods such as water quality, air quality, etc.
production, including woodchip from the SRC, was 1086 agroforestry online and References
GJ, while the whole estate energy consumption was 189 thinking that growing Döring T et al (2013) Using legume-based mixtures to enhance the
GJ. This gives a production:consumption ratio of 5.1:1. the alley cropping system nitrogen use efficiency and economic viability of cropping systems.
Energy benchmarking using the SustainFARM PG Tool could be the answer. We got so much more than we bargained Final Report for DEFRA-funded Legume LINK project LK09106. https://
found that while the arable enterprise uses only 61% of orgprints.org/24662/1/PR513.pdf
for, the outputs from Wakelyns were certainly as diverse and
arable benchmark systems, the domestic energy use is Döring T et al (2015) Comparative analysis of performance and stability
productive as the agricultural system being proposed! The YQ, among composite cross populations, variety mixtures and pure lines of
considerably higher than an average farmhouse (367% of a heterogeneous ‘Population’ he created and grew amongst winter wheat in organic and conventional cropping systems. Field Crops
benchmark). The farmhouse at Wakelyns is a beautiful, but trees at Wakelyns defied the status quo on every level.” Research 183: 235-245
old and leaky building that is hard to insulate. 80% of the Lemieux G, Germain D. (2000) Ramial Chipped Wood: The Clue to a
farm energy use is from renewable sources (photovoltaic
Stephen Briggs
Sustainable Fertile Soil. Publication 128. Département des Sciences du Bois
panels and woodchip from the agroforestry system), and et de la Forêt, Québec, Canada
the CO2 balance is -10.2 tonnes CO2 equivalent per year. Stephen Briggs, pioneering organic farmer and advisor, took
Organic Research Centre (2019) The SustainFARM Public Goods Tool v1.0
Smith L (2009) Wakelyns Farm Energy and Emissions Audit. The Organic
As a research site, Martin relied on research funding to inspiration from Wakelyns when designing and planting Research Centre.
maintain the trials and farm. Going forward, Martin’s 4500 apple trees as UK’s largest commercial silvoarable Smith J (2019) SustainFARM Public Goods Tool: Instruction Manual v1.
sons, David and Toby, are working closely with farm system on his farm in the Cambridgeshire fens: https://tinyurl.com/SusFarmPG
managers Paul and Mark Ward to demonstrate that organic “Martin was a pivotal sounding board with whom to discuss Smith J Crossland EM, Wolfe, MSW (2016). Silvoarable agroforestry: an
agroforestry is also financially viable, and therefore all- my ideas of developing commercial agroforestry at Whitehall
alternative approach to apple production? 12th European International
round sustainable. Farming Systems Association Symposium ‘Social and technological
Farm. Sharing ideas and experiences helped shape our direction. transformation of farming systems: Diverging and converging pathways’.
Martin’s quiet wisdom encouraged us all to look more deeply at Harper Adams, UK
Nature and try and take lessons to shape our farming systems – Smith J et al (2017) Lessons learnt: silvoarable agroforestry in the UK.
Figure 5: Radar diagram showing the results of the his inspiration will live on long through many.” Report for H2020 project AGFORWARD. https://www.agforward.eu/index.
php/en/silvoarable-agroforestry-in-the-uk.html
SustainFARM PG Tool assessment at Wakelyns.
Westaway S (2019). Ramial woodchip for soil health and fertility. ORC
Mark Lea Bulletin 130: Winter 2019 pp6-7.
Westaway S, Smith J (2018) Assessing, harvesting, chipping and processing
Shropshire organic farmer, Mark Lea, has been growing the techniques for improving the quality of woodchip from hedgerows and
ORC Wakelyns wheat population for the last few years, because agroforestry. SustainFARM Project Deliverable 4.2.
of the increased resilience to pest, disease and climatic risks
gained from having so much genetic diversity in the mix: Further information
“I feel so privileged to have known Martin and been able Westaway S, Smith J (2019) Productive Hedges: Guidance
to integrate his work into our farming system. With YQ he on bringing Britain’s hedges back into the farm business.
completely changed the direction of wheat growing here and https://zenodo.org/record/2641808#.XRClv497nct
our avenues of hazel for coppicing and walnuts will be here
long after we are. His influence and his wisdom changed me Farm Woodland Forum: www.agroforestry.ac.uk/
and this farm for the better!” European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF):
www.eurafagroforestry.eu/welcome
Acknowledgements Woodland Trust: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
In memory of the late Prof. Martin and Ann Wolfe, Wakelyns Agroforestry, Agricology: www.agricology.co.uk
and with thanks for their enthusiasm, support and cooperation in
this research. Thanks to Jeremy Gugenheim and Maja Lindstrom Wakelyns Agroforestry: www.wakelyns.co.uk
(paradigmshiftfilm.com) for permission to use their photos. Thanks also
to David Wolfe and the Wakelyns farm team, Paul and Mark Ward for their
help over the years of data collection. Printed by Severnprint on 100% recycled paper using
Aerial view of the short rotation coppice willow. Photo: Jeremy Gugenheim. vegetable based inks and powered by renewable energy.

14 Wakelyns Agroforestry: Resilience through diversity 15

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