‘Healthy soil is the foundation of everything’

As most of us will be aware, and probably rather ashamed to admit, the amount of organic waste that we throw away mounts up. For Heather Gorringe, the quantity of vegetable peelings, eggshells and coffee grounds ending up in the bin seemed like a horrific waste, but by looking to nature she found the perfect solution had been right there all along.

Wiggly Wigglers literally started from Heather’s kitchen table and from there has grown into the destination for those wishing to live more sustainably. By taking the waste from our homes, turning it into nutrient-dense compost and feeding it to our gardens, Wiggly Wigglers helps to improve the soil health, grow organic food and support wildlife.

If you’re just looking to start you composting journey, about to take the leap into wormeries or ready to explore the world of Bokashi composting Wiggly Wigglers is there to help you.

Q. Was nature and wildlife a big part of your childhood or did your passion for the environment develop once you were older?

A. When I was young, I spent a lot of time with my Dad, who was a keen fisherman, so I was often down by the River Wye with him. He used to collect worms for salmon fishing, so that was probably my first introduction to them, and I’ve certainly collected a good few in my time since then! I remember watching kingfishers darting along the water and getting to know the ebb and flow of the river. It wasn’t a conscious passion for nature at the time—it was just part of life.

My real interest in all that came later, not from some grand love of the great outdoors, but really from seeing just how much organic waste we throw away. The sheer waste of it all got me thinking—why throw things out when nature already has the perfect system to deal with it? Whether it’s hot composting, worms, or beneficial microbes we can turn waste into something useful. Less landfill, better soil, and if you do it right, no horrid smells. Win-win!

Q. Can you tell us a little more about how you have made your home, garden and farm more nature friendly.

When we first arrived at Lower Blakemere in 1992, the garden was grass with a few roses. Over time, we started shaping it into something much more wildlife-friendly, and by 2004, we really went for it. We designed a proper wildlife garden, adding plants for bees, insects, butterflies and birds, a wildflower meadow, orchard trees, and a thick wildlife hedge. We also set up raised beds for veg growing—I had a good run with those before they fell victim to my neglect, but I’m determined to get them going again! Watch this space…

The garden is now full of life, and the farm is heading the same way. Four years ago, our son Monty kicked off our regenerative farming mission, wanting to farm in a way that worked with nature rather than against it. It made total sense, and my husband Phil got fully on board, diving into the science and the practicalities of making it work on a commercial scale. Regenerative farming isn’t about wishful thinking—it’s about making real, profitable farming sustainable for the long term.

At the heart of it is soil health, which means following the six key principles of regenerative farming:

Context – Farming in a way that fits our land, our climate, and our business. What works on a prairie in the US won’t necessarily work in Herefordshire, so we adapt regenerative principles to our specific farm.
Minimal soil disturbance – Less ploughing, more natural structure. Healthy soil equals healthier crops and fewer weeds.
Diverse cropping – Mixing up what we grow, using cover crops to protect and feed the soil.
Keeping roots in the ground – Living roots keep soil biology thriving all year round.
Livestock integration – Our cattle and pigs are part of the system, adding natural fertility and grazing in a way that mimics nature.
Encouraging biodiversity – More hedges, more wild margins, more habitats for wildlife.

We’re making progress – we’re cutting back on inputs, we’re seeing more wildlife on the farm, and the soil is improving. The goal is simple: work with nature, make it pay, and build a farm that thrives for the next generation.

Q. When did you first realise that Wiggly Wigglers had become more than just a place to buy seed from, but somewhere people looked to for guidance on how to live sustainably?

We set up our first website in 1996 and started selling online in 2001, and even then, it was clear that sharing knowledge and experience was just as important as selling products. Over time, Wiggly Wigglers became more than just a place to buy birdseed or wormeries—it became a hub for people who wanted to live more sustainably but weren’t quite sure where to start.

These days, it’s less about us just providing information and more about building a community—people learning from each other, sharing ideas, and supporting one another. Videos have become a huge part of that. Whether it’s showing how to set up a wormery, explaining Bokashi, or just answering the endless ‘Will my worms survive the winter?’ questions, video makes it easier, more practical, and much more engaging. It’s brilliant to see people not just buying from us but really getting involved and changing the way they think about waste, soil, and sustainability.

Q. What is your opinion on how the UK is dealing with climate and biodiversity crisis. Are we doing enough?

You’ve hit a nerve on this one.. The UK’s approach to the climate and biodiversity crisis is a disaster. We’re drowning in greenwashing, pushing policies that look good on paper but completely fail in reality. Instead of focusing on producing high-quality, homegrown food, we’re shipping in more imports while vast areas of the countryside are being turned into so-called 'rewilding' projects just to tick a government box. Meanwhile, big corporations are buying carbon credits and patting themselves on the back, while all they’re really doing is outsourcing the problem to countries with lower environmental and animal welfare standards than ours.

The absolute priority should be growing food—properly, profitably and regeneratively in my view. Right now, farmers are being squeezed from every direction. Costs are soaring, regulations are piling up, trade deals are undermining British producers, and government support is non-existent. If we want sustainable farming, we need profitable farming—because as one farmer said to me – “You can’t go Green if you are in the Red.”

Regenerative farming does hold many of the answers—building soil health, reducing reliance on artificial inputs, integrating livestock and crops together, and working with nature instead of fighting it. Yet, instead of backing this, the government is demonising farmers, pushing for less red meat (!) while conveniently ignoring that well-managed livestock are part of the solution, not the problem.

We need policies that support mixed, profitable, regenerative farming—where farmers can actually earn a living while producing real, nutritious food instead of being forced to chase subsidies or sell off land to corporate greenwashing schemes. Instead, we’re making it harder to farm, easier to import junk food, and more profitable for landowners to plant trees for carbon credits than to actually grow food. Mad.

Q. Who is/are your biggest inspiration/s when it comes to regenerative agriculture? What do they do that inspires you?

When it comes to regenerative agriculture, there are a few people who really stand out for me.

First up is Gabe Brown—a real pioneer in regenerative farming. He’s a North Dakota farmer who went from struggling with drought and poor soils to completely transforming his farm using regenerative principles. No till, cover crops, livestock integration—you name it, he’s proved it works. His book Dirt to Soil is a must-read, and getting to meet him was brilliant. He’s a straight talker who makes the complex simple and shows that healthy soil is the foundation of everything.

Then there’s RegenBen (Ben Taylor-Davies), who’s not just an expert but also our advisor. He’s got a deep knowledge of soil biology and regenerative methods, and he’s helping us with our approach here at Lower Blakemere. His enthusiasm is infectious, and he’s great at breaking down the science behind soil health in a way that actually makes sense.

And finally, Ben Adams, Monty’s mate, who is another invaluable source of knowledge. He’s deeply involved in regenerative farming, and we often tap into his expertise, whether it’s about cover crops, soil, livestock, or just making regenerative systems work in practice.

Between these three, we’ve got a mix of experience, science, and practical know-how to help us keep pushing forward on the farm.

Nature Positivity: Q&A with Wiggly Wigglers

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