Perched on the edge of the Pennines between Renwick and Gamblesby, Cannerheugh Farm spans approximately 360 acres of upland pasture, rising from about 860 to 1,100 feet in altitude. Its sandy loam soils support a pasture-fed, rotational grazing system certified by Pasture for Life. The farm also incorporates 38 acres of woodland.
Since 2012, farmers Nic and Paul Renison have embraced regenerative agriculture, moving away from chemical inputs to focus on rotational grazing of Aberdeen Angus cattle, and pasture-rotated hens.
Mob grazing is where all the cows are in one group and they are moved around the farm in a mob, and their grazing patch is secured by electric fences that are moved after each period of grazing. Each patch, or paddock, is then left to rest for up to 90 days and this allows flowers to seed and regenerate.
Beginning in 2014, they initiated a woodland and hedgerow project—planting over 12,000 native trees across more than 2 km of shelterbelts, riparian corridors, and wood pasture areas—to protect livestock from the notorious Helm Wind while boosting biodiversity and soil resilience. These measures have improved grass growth, increased soil water retention, and elevated biodiversity—benefiting both farm productivity and the wider landscape.
Cannerheugh Farm has achieved a marked reduction in variable costs by eliminating fertilisers and sprays in 2015. It has adopted enhanced rotational grazing systems with a sustainable farm incentive (SFI) herbal ley established in 2024 via direct drilling. The farm pursues direct sales of grass-fed eggs via its local egg club, plus supplying some local retail.
Nic Renison is a co-founder of “Carbon Calling,” a Cumbrian regenerative farming conference (and podcast), fostering knowledge exchange and furthering the farm’s impact as a regional innovation hub. The farm hosts educational visits from schools both locally and from London, and is rnovating a barn to be used as a business space.
Cannerheugh Farm exemplifies how regenerative practices—agroforestry, rotational grazing, low-input systems, and agritourism—can drive both ecological restoration and economic resilience. It stands as a valuable model for sustainable rural enterprise in Cumbria, offering inspiration for landowners, business leaders, and visitors committed to prosperous and environmentally sound rural futures.