Nominee Summary
Jenny Leggate has transformed her 700-acre organic farm in the Scottish Borders into Set Aside, a pioneering membership-based model where people can reconnect with nature, learn traditional skills, and find healing. Through carefully managed access to woodlands, reservoir, dean, and off-grid huts, Jenny has created a sustainable model that welcomes those seeking respite from busy lives whilst protecting the land’s biodiversity. Her vision puts conservation at the heart of community wellbeing, offering free memberships to charities and individuals in need, proving that environmental stewardship and mental wellbeing can flourish together.
What was the motivation?
Jenny’s motivation stems from a deep belief that people need connection to the land for their wellbeing, whilst the land itself needs careful stewardship to thrive. As owner of Greenlawdean Farm, she recognised the healing power of nature and wanted to share this with others who might benefit - particularly those struggling with mental health challenges or seeking respite from modern life’s pressures. Her approach to biodiversity protection is rooted in the principle of putting more back into the land than taking out. Through achieving organic status across all 700 acres, Jenny has eliminated harmful chemicals, allowing natural ecosystems to recover and flourish. The carefully managed membership model ensures visitor numbers remain sustainable, preventing overuse that could damage delicate habitats. Jenny has preserved existing woodlands, protected the reservoir and dean environments, and maintained areas of archaeological significance whilst creating designated spaces for human activity. This zoning approach allows wildlife corridors to remain undisturbed whilst still providing meaningful access for visitors. The farm’s working landscape supports local biodiversity through traditional farming methods that work with natural cycles rather than against them. By offering free memberships to charities and those in need, Jenny ensures that connection to nature isn’t just available to those who can afford it, demonstrating that conservation and social responsibility are inseparable. Her vision creates a sustainable model where human wellbeing and environmental protection support each other, proving that responsible land management can benefit both people and planet.
The impact of their work
Set Aside launched its membership and learning programmes in April 2025, but the foundational work has already demonstrated significant impact. Over the last three years, Jenny has achieved full organic status, transforming the farm to mainly grass, agroforestry and wildflower meadow. This transition has continued to protect the SSSI status of the Blackadder River which flows through the Dean, demonstrating how responsible farming can enhance rather than compromise protected habitats. The inspiration for Set Aside came from ‘the happy campers’ - volunteers who have planted 1,400 trees across the farm. Their enthusiasm showed Jenny the power of people connecting with nature and working together for conservation, directly influencing her vision to create structured engagement with the landscape. The farm’s organic certification validates Jenny’s commitment to sustainable land management across all 700 acres, eliminating chemical inputs and creating conditions for natural biodiversity recovery. The shift towards wildflower meadows and agroforestry, enhanced by volunteer tree planting, represents significant enhancement to local wildlife corridors and pollinator habitats. In addition, in both 2015 and 2020, Greenlawdean achieved a Certificate of Accreditation in recognition of achieving the standards of assessment set by Wildlife Estates Scotland, and Scotland’s Finest Woods Award 2016. As Set Aside moves into operation, it demonstrates how farming enterprises can successfully balance community wellbeing, creating a replicable model for similar initiatives across Scotland.
Including the community
Jenny has prioritised local community inclusion from the outset, ensuring Set Aside enhances rather than disrupts existing relationships with the land. Traditional access rights for dog walking and horse riding have been maintained, preserving the informal ways locals have always connected with Greenlawdean Farm. The membership model specifically welcomes local residents, offering them opportunities to join as members and access additional benefits beyond their existing rights. Local groups and organisations can utilise the farm as a venue for activities, creating new possibilities for community gatherings and learning. ‘The happy campers’ exemplify Jenny’s community-focused approach - this volunteer group has planted 1,400 trees across the farm and directly inspired the Set Aside concept. Their ongoing involvement demonstrates how local people can become active stewards of the landscape, contributing practically to conservation efforts whilst building personal connections to the land. Jenny works closely with local planning authorities, maintaining positive relationships that support both conservation goals and community needs. The project’s respect for the SSSI status of the Blackadder River shows commitment to protecting shared natural heritage. Through the healing membership tier, offered free to charities and individuals in need, Jenny ensures that access to nature’s therapeutic benefits isn’t limited by financial means. This approach promotes conservation as a community asset that benefits everyone, particularly those most vulnerable. Set Aside’s model demonstrates that successful conservation happens when local communities are partners rather than observers, creating shared ownership of environmental stewardship that extends far beyond individual land boundaries.
