Our arable unit is led by Martin (above), who has farmed at Bisterne for nearly 40 years, and leads all decisions on cropping, input costs and marketing, and CSS/ELMS. A primary challenge at Bisterne is particularly sandy soils, which hold very little moisture, making many crops difficult to grow. The cultivation of fields is on a no-till regime, in order to avoid upsetting the soil structure every year with deep-ploughing. We direct-drill with rare tactical use of a plough if absolutely necessary to correct a severe problem.