Organic Farming
Sandringham has more than 6,000 hectares of farmland, with all farming organic. Sandringham Farms Department manages 2,400 hectares ‘in-hand’ to grow crops including modern and traditional wheat, barley, beans and oat varieties, plus a range of heritage grains. A 2,000-strong flock of Aberfield sheep and Beef shorthorn cattle also produces organic, 100% grass-fed meat. Tenant farmers on the rest of the farmland produce organic potatoes, onions, pork and poultry.
As part of the Estate’s ongoing conservation management, an area of arable land has been converted to agroforestry. This is a system of farming that integrates crops and livestock in woodland or among trees to improve biodiversity. A variety of trees, including cider apple, perry pear, plum, quince, mulberry and walnut, were planted in rows with four-metre-wide wildflower strips running the length of the field to leave room for arable farming operations. Harvested cider apples and perry pears are used by the Sandringham Apple Juice company, which produces tens of thousands of bottles a year on the Estate.
