Farmers gather to discuss innovation in farming at North Wessex Downs Annual Forum

Farmers, land managers and advisors and others from the farming sector gathered at Sheepdrove Organic Farm last week (6th November) to discuss innovation in farming and also the work of the National Landscape (NL) team over the last year.

Through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) programme the team have distributed over £2.9 million across 166 projects in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape since 2021. These have included projects to enhance biodiversity such as pond and hedge creation, landscape improvement projects such as chalk grassland enhancement, access upgrades including permissive paths and toilet facilities on public rights of way. The programme has led to new connections between the NL team and scores of farmers and land managers, and connected farmers with each other through new farmer-led groups.

This year’s Annual Forum drew delegates from across the North Wessex Downs to hear from the FIPL team but also to learn about innovations in the farming sector which are contributing to more sustainable farming practices here in the National Landscape.

Keynote speaker Julian Gold takes questions from the floor

Keynote speaker Julian Gold, who was awarded Soil Farmer of the Year in 2019, spoke about sustainability and how his farming methods look after the ‘factory premises’.  He took a look back at farming systems and the changes that have happened over the years and compared them to what is happening now.  Julian said,
“For all our technology it still takes personal care and attention to grow food productively, environmentally and even beautifully – and doing this must surely be one of the most inherently positive ways that a person can spend time on the Planet.”

Dr Jemma Batten from Marlborough’s Space for Nature spoke about her experience with farmer groups and how collaboration on a landscape scale can result in increased benefits for wildlife and biodiversity.

Peter Wilson talked about his experience using a Pruex system to reduce ammonia and effluent levels in his chicken manure. This system has the potential of massively reducing agricultural pollutants entering the atmosphere and leeching into water systems.

Jimmy Woodrow from Pasture for Life discussed the environmental, health and economic benefits of pasture-fed livestock and how his organisation Pasture for Life, a not-for-profit membership organisation, works with farmers to harness the benefits of pasture for the benefit of the natural world, their communities and others.

After a hearty lunch delegates were invited outside to take a look at some exhibits which included treated manures, a composting machine and a revolutionary fertiliser machine.