My name is Cora Cooper, and I am very proud to say that I am a farmer.
Having grown up in Glasgow, with a background in law, PR and Events, I had never been on a farm before meeting my husband, David. Farming has allowed me to have a career whilst raising our young family without childcare. An achievement which would not be possible in most sectors. It has also given me a resilience that I previously never had before working with livestock.
Together with David, I co-own and run a 5050-acre hill sheep farm with 3500 Herdwicks and Welsh Mountains ewes. Over 85 per cent of our land is classified as Region 3 (rough grazing land) and 80 per cent is in a Special Protection Area (SPA).
Being first generation landowners, simplicity and low inputs are cornerstones of our business model. As is improving our land whilst still producing sustainably produced, quality lamb. The flock is pasture fed and we are Pasture For Life certified. As our flock has increased so has the biodiversity of our ground.
I am so excited for the future of Scottish hill farming. As an industry, it is such a diverse rich sector which could play a vital role in biodiversity and securing food security on an island. Food producers are a vital part of the puzzle for nature recovery. Agriculture is an industry that Scotland cannot do without.
In 2019, we undertook the largest private peatland restoration in Europe at the time along with the CABB (Co-operation Across Borders for Biodiversity) and RSPB. Completing over 2000 acres of restoration across various sites within the SPA and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
At no point before, during, or after the process were the sheep ever removed from the areas. This, in our opinion, was vital to ensure a quick recovery of the ground. Now five years later, I can confidently say that it was one of the best decisions we ever made.
The productivity of those areas has increased, whilst the nature is also thriving. As times of extreme weather are becoming more frequent, the restored peatland has helped us futureproof our business. The peatland can now both withstand drought and mitigate flooding downstream.
My recent experiences on the Nature Recovery Leadership Programme have highlighted how important it is to challenge assumptions of what farming can be and create valuable connections out with the industry.
Agriculture needs to be at the table and not on the table, and in order for that to happen we need to be in the room, usually out with our comfort zone.
- Cora Cooper is a first-generation farmer and landowner. Together with her husband David, she farms and owns a 5000-hill farm in East Ayrshire. Focusing on native British sheep breeds, the flock of over 3500 ewes is solely pasture grazed. Together they won Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year 2023. Using regenerative farming practices, they have reinstated a former coal opencast site to Region 1 land (better quality agricultural land). Over 2000 acres of peatland restoration was done 5 years ago, with the grazing methods being a key factor to the successful restoration. With three young children efficiency and sustainability are the cornerstones of the business. Cora is an advocate for the positives that can be achieved for nature recovery in farming systems whilst still delivering quality produce.