Many producers working in the North Wessex Downs AONB pride themselves on the quality of their produce and their contribution to the continuous well-being and maintenance of the landscape.
The North Wessex Downs Management Plan supports the development of environmentally responsible practices and sustainable farming systems.

Some producers listed in this Local Products Guide are involved in assurance schemes, certification processes and whole farm auditing.

• Sustainable farming systems
• Farm auditing processes
• Environment Links from Producer Listings
• Criteria for inclusion in Producer Listings

Sustainable Farming Systems

There are many definitions of sustainable farming, but they all focus on the same principles.

A sustainable agriculture system

• reduces adverse impacts on the environment
• improves farm animal welfare
• produces wholesome, affordable food
• improves the economic viability of farming and food production.

In 2002 Defra published the National Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. Regional delivery plans: Farming and Food: Our Healthy Future from the Govt Office of the South East and Making a Difference, from the Govt Office of the South West, outline ways in which the Strategy will be delivered in the North Wessex Downs AONB.

Sustainable farming practices are characterised by an emphasis on biological systems and management techniques rather than the inputs that are used in conventional farming.

Farmers who want to demonstrate they use sustainable agriculture practices must be audited by an accredited authority to show they meet agreed sustainability indicators.

The audit uses a set of indicators that could typically include:

• soil fertility
• avoidance of pollution
• use of non-renewable resources
• livestock management
• social function of the farm
• use of appropriate technology
• biodiversity and landscape

Organisations located in and close to the North Wessex Downs AONB that have developed farm auditing processes include:

• Northmoor Trust for Countryside Conservation delivers LEAF – Linking Environment And Farming, which advocates an Integrated Farm Management process.
• Elm Farm Research Centre, Berkshire has developed the Farm Audit for Sustainability as part of its Organic Systems Development Programme.
• WildCRU – Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at the University of Oxford, works with FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) and BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) on the Whole Farm Conservation Plan as part of its Sustainable Farming Initiative for farms in the Upper Thames Tributaries.
• DEFRA – has a Whole Farm Appraisal process piloted during 2004 and 2005 prior to roll-out from autumn 2005. The core module of the WFA is supplemented by the Environment Agency's Environmental Management System for Farms (EMSF).
• Soil Association – aims to set the ‘gold standard’ for the organic industry and often sets higher than the legal minimum requirements, particularly in farm animal welfare. Soil Association standards aim to meet consumer expectations, reflect the best sustainable practice and become a benchmark for organic production globally.
• IFOAM – (International Federation of Organic Farming Movements) has established a set of indicators to meet organic standards. IFOAM Standards 2000 set out the system of organic agriculture with a clear aim of sustainable farming.

Please click here for a list of Organisations working locally and nationally to support sustainable food systems