Elaine Spencer-White

Bere Marsh Farm Manager

Elaine Spencer-White closed a rewarding career in 2014 that was anchored within the rural sector of both the UK and Southern Africa, returning to the UK in 2000.

After the foot-and-mouth outbreak national policy focused on shortening the food chain under the slogan of ‘local food for local people’. Elaine was the driving-force for a part-EU funded project to research, launch and manage the production and marketing of food and drink for more than 80 farmers, growers and producers across 260sq. miles of the Somerset Levels and Moors. The collective trademark Levels’ Best was registered in 2007 to identify and protect the wide range of produce and the associated markets.

Elaine's support for the CRT combines career knowledge and personal passion and concern for native wildlife, along with a sound belief that they should be mutually inclusive.

She hiked a total of 300 cross-country miles for the Gordon Beningfield Appeal to assist the “Dorset Dream” and is delighted to now manage the restoration of Bere Marsh Farm.

Contact:
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Please note, Elaine works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday so might be slightly delayed responding to your contact.

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Helps us buy supplementary bird seed, sourced from local suppliers.

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Latest

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Bird ringing trainer Simon Lane reports on the data gathered on Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset this summer. This contributes to the understanding of how 24 common songbird species are faring nationally, and helps us improve habitats on the farm in an effort to support breeding birds.
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Poem by Sam Scriven, inspired by his day at Bere Marsh Farm and Nature Writing Creative Workshop
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At Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset, we're harnessing the power of both technology and nature to ensure that the sewage from our buildings is as clean as possible before it reaches the adjacent stream or the River Stour.
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White Stork Towers

At Bere Marsh Farm we think the white stork is emblematic for floodplain restoration. We are giving local businesses the opportunity to sponsor nest towers.
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For two years we have been working with the Waterlife Recovery Trust to help eradicate invasive American mink from East Anglia, to stop them predating on native species including water voles, kingfishers and moorhens. Now, as the project expands into other parts of the country, we are launching efforts on two of our farms in Dorset.
A heart-warming use for local wool

As sweltering summer weather arrives, it's time for sheep owners to have their flocks sheared to keep them comfortable. We're glad to report that fleeces from the flocks of two local smallholders will be going to good use on Bere Marsh Farm in Dorset, at one of our Creative Workshops.
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School trips on the farm
Volunteer with the CRT

Would you like to help wildlife and do your bit to create a landscape bursting with life? To enjoy quiet time connecting with nature to benefit your wellbeing, or to get stuck into exciting conservation projects with a friendly team? To learn new skills or develop existing ones? Whatever motivates you to consider volunteering, we’d love to have you in our team.
What We Do

The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is a champion of biodiversity, pioneering a living, working countryside through the regeneration of farming landscapes and woodlands for a brighter and cohesive future for all.
Slow-worms – the gardener’s best friend

The UK has 6 native reptile species including the curious slow-worm (Anguis fragilis). Although serpent-like in appearance, slow-worms are in fact limbless lizards and an amazing example of de-evolution.
Who we are & how we work
Conservation Volunteer

This is your chance to get 'down and dirty' to help CRT improve the habitats and environment on our farms, with a wide range of conservation projects and initiatives.
Robin Page

Co-Founder
David Mills MBE

Trustee
Wildlife & Farms

To achieve our vision of a living, working countryside we have purchased 18 sites across the UK, each with their own unique ecosystem and biodiversity.
Bere Marsh Farm

Mixed farmland, Dorset