Robin has worked in countryside management for all but three years of his working life. His formal training is in forestry and timber and included implementing forest projects in Nepal. Previous to completing his degree, Robin worked as an Estate Manager for 6 years in Kent, and took over the family farm in 1995. Robin's interests include sustainable land management and the innovation of novel uses for old machinery.
Robin with the Dexters on Cobstone Hill
Tony Harman F.R.E.S
Tony was born and bred in the Turville Valley. His passion for wildlife, particularly butterlies and moths, began almost as soon as he could walk. The Swains SSSI used to be part of the family farm and Tony spent most of his childhood collecting and recording on this site. His passion for insects grew whilst on National Service in Malaya. His international surveying has taken him to Borneo, South America, Sulawesi, Thailand, Nepal and Australia. He retired from his post as head of Canterbury Environmental Education Centre in 1995. This merely gave him more time for insects and helping on the farm.
Tony, Will and Sarah mark out Common Spotted orchids on a survey site
John Hedges (BSc Hons)
John worked as a shepherd on several farms in Oxfordshire and Herefordshire before taking on the role of Farm Manager at the Wormsley Estate in Buckinghamshire. His interest in traditional native breeds prompted him to introduce and develop a herd of English Longhorn cattle at Wormsley. He is a former council member and Chairman of the Longhorn Cattle Society. John now has the opportunity to work with Gravelly Grazing to help provide a complete management service on conservation grassland in the Chilterns. If your farm or land is run conventionally (not for conservation) John is also available to handle any management tasks you require as a freelance. For non-conservation projects and organic farming please contact him directly on 07540725696/(01494)485163.
Will Balmont (BSc Hons)
Will graduated from the University of Sussex in 2008 and then spent a year training with the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust. He has worked with Gravelly Grazing for the past three months, assisting with grazing livestock, and also carries out a range of practical habitat management work. Will's nature conservation interests include plants, dragonflies, birds and pond creation and restoration.
Will processes wood for firewood.
Sarah Facey (BSc Hons)
Sarah graduated from the University of York in 2009 and then worked at her local nature reserve in Kent for 8 months. Sarah has now volunteered with Gravelly Grazing for 3 months, learning a wide variety of new skills and helping with the day to day work at the farm, as well as learning more about entomology and natural history. Sarah is returning to York in order to complete her Ecology and Environmental Management MRes in October this year. Sarah keeps a blog of her experiences on the farm: http://sarah-facey.blogspot.com
Sarah shears one of the Hebridean ewes
Jo Harman
Robin's wife Jo takes care of the administrative side of things and keeps things running smoothly at the farm house. She also regularly helps out with fence moves and lamb rearing. Jo enjoys outdoor countryside pursuits, home-baking and wine making.
Robin has worked in countryside management for all but three years of his working life. His formal training is in forestry and timber and included implementing forest projects in Nepal. Previous to completing his degree, Robin worked as an Estate Manager for 6 years in Kent, and took over the family farm in 1995. Robin's interests include sustainable land management and the innovation of novel uses for old machinery.
Robin with the Dexters on Cobstone Hill
Tony was born and bred in the Turville Valley. His passion for wildlife, particularly butterlies and moths, began almost as soon as he could walk. The Swains SSSI used to be part of the family farm and Tony spent most of his childhood collecting and recording on this site. His passion for insects grew whilst on National Service in Malaya. His international surveying has taken him to Borneo, South America, Sulawesi, Thailand, Nepal and Australia. He retired from his post as head of Canterbury Environmental Education Centre in 1995. This merely gave him more time for insects and helping on the farm. 
Tony, Will and Sarah mark out Common Spotted orchids on a survey site
John worked as a shepherd on several farms in Oxfordshire and Herefordshire before taking on the role of Farm Manager at the Wormsley Estate in Buckinghamshire. His interest in traditional native breeds prompted him to introduce and develop a herd of English Longhorn cattle at Wormsley. He is a former council member and Chairman of the Longhorn Cattle Society. John now has the opportunity to work with Gravelly Grazing to help provide a complete management service on conservation grassland in the Chilterns. If your farm or land is run conventionally (not for conservation) John is also available to handle any management tasks you require as a freelance. For non-conservation projects and organic farming please contact him directly on 07540725696/(01494)485163. 
Will graduated from the University of Sussex in 2008 and then spent a year training with the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust. He has worked with Gravelly Grazing for the past three months, assisting with grazing livestock, and also carries out a range of practical habitat management work. Will's nature conservation interests include plants, dragonflies, birds and pond creation and restoration.
Will processes wood for firewood.
Sarah graduated from the University of York in 2009 and then worked at her local nature reserve in Kent for 8 months. Sarah has now volunteered with Gravelly Grazing for 3 months, learning a wide variety of new skills and helping with the day to day work at the farm, as well as learning more about entomology and natural history. Sarah is returning to York in order to complete her Ecology and Environmental Management MRes in October this year. Sarah keeps a blog of her experiences on the farm: 
Sarah shears one of the Hebridean ewes
Robin's wife Jo takes care of the administrative side of things and keeps things running smoothly at the farm house. She also regularly helps out with fence moves and lamb rearing. Jo enjoys outdoor countryside pursuits, home-baking and wine making.