A few miles outside Rhayader, in mid-Wales, nestled between the Elan Valley and the River Wye, is Nannerth Fawr farm, home to Andre and Alison Gallagher.

The farmhouse is one field from the two-mile river frontage and the land stretches from the river to the common hill land.

It’s diverse ground and the 200 acre farm includes 103 acres of grassland, including wetland areas, 62 acres of wood pasture, and 30 acres of woodland, in nine separate enclosures.

The couple currently farm 200 sheep, keep a few horses and poultry, as well as Boer goats for meat.

Andre and Alison bought the farm over 30 years ago, by sealed tender. With no previous experience in farming the couple embarked on a steep learning curve.

Alison recalls: “The farm was in a derelict state when it was bought. We didn’t know we were going to be successful until the day we took it over and it was a bit of a shock as lambing started the following day here on the farm.

"We were plunged straight into outdoor lambing but managed reasonably well I think. It helped a lot having friends and neighbours for farming advice and support.”

As well as improving the farm and renovating the farm buildings and house, the couple have worked to maintain diverse habitats and support biodiversity on the farm.

When they bought the farm a lot of woodland already existed, which they fenced off, as well as creating further woodland over the years - to the tune of 10,000 trees.

Andre adds: “Currently we are embarking on a scheme of 11 hectares of mixed conifer and deciduous planting on the far north of the farm. It’s very steep there with a lot of bracken cover on the hill.”

Sustainability is important to Andre and Alison and looking after the land plays a big part in that.

Alison explains: “We have a traditional upland farm with a history of low inputs such as chemicals and fertiliser and the farm has now been organic for 13 years."

When it comes to looking after the grassland on the farm, Andre is proud of the ancient meadows at Nannerth.

“We are really pleased to have maintained our ancient meadows. Having previously been in an ESA scheme and then in Tir Gofal, we’re now in Glastir Advanced, so we don’t cut those hay meadows until the middle of July. We don’t graze them for a month after and we don’t use bought in fertiliser. We only use ground limestone if needed,” he says.

A survey carried out on the meadows many years ago showed that there are over 60 species of plants. Whilst the crop is light, Andre says the grass is as good as it gets.

“The sheep and goats far prefer it to anything else. We had to buy in a few bales last year just to top up the feed and the goats were not interested in the ryegrass. They are very spoiled now."

Around 66 species of bird call the land around the farm home and Andre and Alison love seeing the summer visiting birds, such as pied flycatchers and redstarts. The Welsh clearwing moth also thrives at Nannerth Fawr.

“In the wetlands we have created 15 ponds providing good habitat for 17 species of dragonfly, amphibians and some waterbirds. The wetlands are grazed by two ponies but we need to up the grazing animals a bit. You have to have some stock grazing otherwise it turns into a wild jungle and nothing flourishes,” explains Andre.

Keeping healthy environments in mind, Andre and Alison also keep bees.

When it comes to food production the couple are clear that anything other than livestock would not suit the land.

“We don’t have many options as to what we produce here. We’re too high up to successfully grow vegetables and other crops but what we can grow is grass.

"Rearing livestock is really what lends itself to our farm and grassland is a carbon sink. Our animals have a good life, we’re organic and the livestock is fed on grass. As far as the meat goes, it’s as healthy and as sustainable as it can be,” says Alison.

With constant advice for farmers to diversify to survive and drawing on previous experience of running a hotel Andre and Alison diversified into self-catering holiday cottages starting almost 30 years ago.

“When we came here it was obvious that this is an ideal location for people to come on holiday. Farming really goes with tourism. People don’t see farm animals any more and they only think of farming as what they see on television, including mass, intensive cattle farms with no grass at all. Our guests get a real feel for what an upland Welsh farm is like,” says Andre.

With tourists from far and wide coming to stay at Nannerth, Andre and Alison enjoy the opportunity to show people what farming in Mid Wales is about.

“Farming is hard work and a lot of thought and effort goes into what you do for the future. If you worked out what your income was it would be near enough two and sixpence an hour in old money.

"People love what we do here and they’re always amazed at the different skills you have to have and the fact that you're out every day irrespective of the weather.

“People also like to help with lambing and many have had a great time helping over the years – I think 27 years of lambing is the record for one family. The kids get involved and they’re fascinated with the birth, bonding and suckling process. They learn by seeing and doing – it’s hands on!"

“There is also a wider responsibility because it is of critical importance to help reverse climate change and species decline in order to sustain the planet we all depend on. Working for the future and for the next generation is what farmers have always done. It’s now more crucial than ever,” adds Andre.