OPENpeat
Dr Chris Field – Manchester Metropolitan University
Email: C.Field@mmu.ac.uk
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Lauryn McLoughlin – Manchester Metropolitan University
Email: L.Mcloughlin@mmu.ac.uk
Project Overview
OPENpeat PEF+ focuses on advancing paludiculture across the North West, a region with extensive lowland peat soils and strong potential for wetter farming. Building on the foundations laid through OPENpeat PEF, the project aims to engage with farmers and land managers, strengthen farmer knowledge exchange, and help to provide the practical and economic evidence needed to make paludiculture a viable and attractive option for UK farmers.
Key objectives
These efforts are supported by four key workstreams:
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Developing the business case for paludiculture through research and an evidence-based overview of lowland peat farms in the region.
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Facilitating knowledge exchange through workshops, the Paludiculture.org Knowledge Exchange Hub, and practical guidance.
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Showcasing practical examples through the guide film, event engagement, and exhibition updates.
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Engaging policymakers through a follow-on policy workshop to build momentum and explore supportive funding and policy mechanisms.
Over the past year, we have made significant progress:
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Database development: A comprehensive database of North West farms located on lowland peat, providing a valuable overview of existing farming practices, barriers, and opportunities. This has already supported regional engagement through greater numbers of farmers joining events and will underpin future business case development for paludiculture.
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Farmer engagement: Through our Paludiculture Roadshow, we have hosted multiple regional workshops, attended major agricultural events, and attended more than 20 farmer-facing events. This has significantly expanded our farmer and land manager network, which now includes both individual farmers and wider cluster groups, enabling more targeted communication and knowledge sharing.​
Myerscough College has been a vital project partner, using its strong regional reputation and trusted farming relationships to boost engagement and interest in paludiculture. Their involvement has expanded networks and opened new pathways into farming groups across the North West.​
Through collaboration with the Myerscough farmer cluster network, we have delivered quarterly workshops and have supported the establishment of a young farmer paludiculture cluster group to build long-term capacity and interest in the next generation of land managers. A highlight was the attendance of over 120 Young Farmers at an evening event we hosted in collaboration with Myerscough Agricultural College.
International engagement: has also grown, with plans to deliver a UK PEF Farmer Presentation as part of the EU Peatland Restoration and Paludiculture in Private Farmland Working Group Webinar series, ensuring that UK experiences are shared within a wider European context.
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Accessible resources: we have developed resources, including a farmer-friendly Paludiculture Guide on key crops such as Typha, Sphagnum, and carbon-farming systems. Co-designed with partners and informed by farmer feedback, it provides practical decision-making support.
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Alongside this, work has started on a short film showcasing paludiculture in practice and opportunities for sustainable use of wet peatlands—building on the earlier farmer-perspective film that proved invaluable at events.
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Carbon benefits of rewetting peat: this was assessed using tools like the Site Emissions Tool (SET) and IUCN Peatland Code Fen Tool, revealing an emissions reduction potential of 800,000 tonnes COâ‚‚-e for the North West. Carbon income potential was also explored, showing strong returns at higher carbon prices compared to current farming practices.
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Together, these activities strengthen understanding, raise visibility, and create a clear platform for expanding paludiculture in the region.
Next steps
Our work demonstrates that North West farmers are increasingly open to exploring paludiculture, particularly when provided with clear information on the economic and environmental benefits. The growing farmer database and relationships with farmer networks have created a strong platform for ongoing engagement, ensuring that future work can target support and communication where it will have the greatest impact.
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Next steps will focus on:
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Finalising and publishing the Paludiculture Guide, ensuring wide dissemination through our regional networks.
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Completing and launching the guide film to visually showcase successful examples and promote wider understanding.
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Hosting the follow-on policy workshop to engage decision-makers and funders in discussions on how best to support adoption.
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Maintaining ongoing farmer engagement through workshops, cluster networks, and the Knowledge Exchange Hub on Paludiculture.org.
Location
Manchester/ North West England
Project partners
Project lead -
Dr Chris Field – Manchester Metropolitan University
Email: C.Field@mmu.ac.uk
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Lauryn McLoughlin – Manchester Metropolitan University
Email: L.Mcloughlin@mmu.ac.uk
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Partners -
Sarah Johnson (Peatland Programme Manager, LWT).
Dr Konstantinos Tzoulas (Senior Lecturer, MMU)
Dr Stephanie Evers (Reader,LJMU)
Mike Longden (Project Officer, LWT)
Kathryn Wright (NFU North West Horticulture Board & Wright Farm Produce Ltd.)
Jenny Bennion (Communications Officer, LWT)