Join the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) for a practical farm walk at Cooper Farm, Muirkirk.

How can you raise productive and profitable sheep farming when your land partly peatlands, which was formerly an open cast coal mine?

Hosts Cora and David are opening their gates to share how they are managing Cooper Farm with an eye on the future. This walk will focus on the intersection of livestock management and ecosystem health, specifically looking at Cora’s ongoing work in peatland restoration while maintaining a grazing system that works for the bottom line and the planet.

What to expect:

• Peatland Restoration in Practice: See firsthand the steps being taken to restore vital carbon-sequestering peatlands.

• Grazing Strategies: Discuss how sheep can be managed on sensitive ground to benefit biodiversity without compromising flock health.

• Emissions & Climate: A grounded conversation on the role of upland farming in Scotland’s climate targets.

• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Connect with other local farmers and crofters to share challenges, successes, and a bit of "craic" over the fence.

The Details:

Date: Monday, 25th May

Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Cooper Farm, Muirkirk, Tardoes KA18 3NW

Cost: Free (Booking essential for catering/numbers)

What to bring:

We are farmers, so we know the Scottish weather! Please bring sturdy, waterproof footwear and warm layers. The ground may be uneven and damp in restoration areas.

Lunch & refreshments:

We’ll wrap up the walk with some light refreshments and a chance to continue the discussion. Please let us know of any specific dietary requirements when booking.

Speakers:

Cora Cooper: Cora Cooper is a first-generation farmer managing Cooper Farms near Muirkirk, a 5,050-acre hill sheep enterprise. Alongside her husband David, Cora oversees one of the UK’s lowest-input systems, running 3,500 hardy, pasture-fed ewes on rugged upland terrain. Grounded in practicality, Cora balances productive agriculture with large-scale conservation, including restoring 800 hectares of peatland. A passionate advocate for the industry, she sits on the Women in Agriculture Scotland committee and volunteers with RHET. For Cora, nature-friendly farming isn't just about the environment—it’s about building a resilient, profitable legacy for her family and the land.

Clive Walton: Clive Walton CEcol MCIEEM is RSPB's Ecologist for the Muirkirk Uplands and the nearby RSPB Airds Moss nature reserve, along with the Argyll & Ardnamurchan area in the west. He is an adviser to RSPB and AECs peatland projects across Scotland, and otherwise specialises in upland habitats, birds and molluscs. Clive devised, co-designed and project managed the 800 ha Tardoes Farm peatland restoration and has since maintained links with the farm. He comes from Balerno and spent much of his childhood amongst the family's horses and on arable and hill sheep farms in the Pentland Hills. He has an enduring commitment to working with farmers and landowners towards nature friendly farming.