ROSS-on-Wye farmer Harry Davies welcomed the Prince of Wales to Herefordshire as he prepares to take on a flagship 900-acre farm under a pioneering 25-year tenancy.

Prince William, in his role as Duke of Cornwall, visited Monkhall Farm on Thursday, October 1, where he met 25-year-old Harry and heard about his plans to develop a profitable business while improving soil health and biodiversity.

Harry is a third-generation farmer who has spent his life farming at Hopes Ash Farm, near Ross-on-Wye, alongside his parents and grandparents.

The family business includes dairy, poultry, beef, arable and renewable energy enterprises, with Harry becoming a partner in 2023 after graduating from Harper Adams University with a degree in Agriculture.

He is now preparing to take on Monkhall Farm through the Duchy of Cornwall’s first regenerative Farm Business Tenancy, which has been developed in partnership with Regenified.

Matthew Morris, executive director for rural at the Duchy of Cornwall, with Ross-on-Wye farmer Harry Davies, who is taking on a 25-year tenancy at the 900-acre Monkhall Farm.
NEW CHAPTER: Matthew Morris, executive director for rural at the Duchy of Cornwall, with Ross-on-Wye farmer Harry Davies, who is taking on a 25-year tenancy at the 900-acre Monkhall Farm. (Duchy of Cornwall)

The 25-year agreement is intended to give Harry the security to invest in the farm over the long term, including its soils, biodiversity, infrastructure and resilience to changing weather conditions.

During his visit, Prince William toured the farm with Harry and joined him in a tractor during a drilling activity.

The Prince also met representatives from Regenified to learn about the support being provided through the tenancy and the Duchy’s wider ambitions for regenerative agriculture.

Harry said: “I'm very pleased to be taking on Monkhall Farm. The dry summer has been a reminder of the pressures farmers are under, and support to adapt and plan for the long term makes a real difference.

“The long-term tenancy, together with support from the Duchy of Cornwall's Farming and Nature team, means I can invest in regenerative practices that should benefit both the business and the environment. I'm looking forward to getting started.”

The Duchy aims for all of its equipped farms to follow regenerative principles by 2035 and will provide participating tenants with advice, funding and peer learning.

Matthew Morris, executive director for rural at the Duchy of Cornwall, said Monkhall would also provide lessons which could be shared more widely.

He said: “What makes Monkhall exciting is the chance to start with a long-term view from day one.

“Harry is taking on a rare and exciting opportunity, where he can plan for the long-term and pave the way for other farmers to develop regenerative farming practices.”

Mr Morris said rising costs and increasingly unpredictable weather meant resilience needed to be at the heart of supporting farming tenants.

The Herefordshire visit formed part of a day for the Prince across the county and neighbouring Monmouthshire.

Earlier, he met residents affected by recent flooding and organisations working on nature-based projects designed to reduce flood risk and help communities become more resilient to increasingly extreme weather.

The regenerative approach is designed to keep farms commercially successful while restoring nature and helping them adapt to climate pressures.

At Monkhall, Harry will establish a baseline for the farm and track its progress over time, allowing him to adapt his methods as the business develops.