Environmental Stewardship tour launches in Norfolk and Hertfordshire
16 August 2010
Natural England's Farm Advice Unit will be touring the East of England with a series of free events offering land managers to chance to view first-hand the benefits of Environmental Stewardship and speak to advisors and farmers about the scheme.
The two launch on the same day, September 21, in Norfolk and Hertfordshire.
The Norfolk launch event will take place at Pee-wit Farm. It will focus on how Environmental Stewardship and Catchment Sensitive Farming work together to protect soils and water.
Dr Mary Dimambro, from Natural England’s Farm Advice Unit, said: “Soil erosion and run-off can result in the loss of valuable nutrients and pesticides. Environmental Stewardship provides a range of options that can help to protect soils and buffer watercourses, assisting farmers to reduce diffuse water pollution.”
A guided walk will take place to demonstrate how Environmental Stewardship can benefit wildlife and be successfully adopted to tackle pollution problems from agriculture. It will also cover Cross Compliance matters, manure management, practical soil management and the Soil Protection Review. Herbert Kittle will host the farm walk and discuss how Environmental Stewardship has benefitted his farm.
The second launch event at Offley Hoo, Hertfordshire focuses on Higher Level Stewardship in the Chilterns. The host farmer, Jon Birchall is one of the Farmers Weekly Countryside Farmer of the Year 2010 finalists and the Chilterns Environment Award Winner 2009.
Offley Hoo includes more than 1,850 acres of arable and grassland. The chalk grassland is valuable for a diverse range of wildflowers, herbs and insects. It is grazed by a number of rare native breeds including longhorn cattle and Wiltshire horn sheep. Rare breed pigs are also managed on site.
Dr Dimambro added: “The arable land is managed with reduced fertiliser and herbicide. Over wintered stables are utilised to provide a winter food source for birds. A variety of arable options are utilised across the farm to produce a range of wildlife habitats.
“A morning farm walk will look at the Environmental Stewardship options, including arable buffer strips, beetle banks and fallow plots. The management of field corners, grassland and hedgerows will also be discussed.”
In addition to a Natural England Advisor, Maydencroft will also be on hand to discuss the financial benefits of Environmental Stewardship during the farm walk. After lunch Mike Furness from the Chilterns LEADER Programme will provide information on grants for farm diversification.
For further details of our autumn programme and how to book please call 0300 0601695, email farmevents@naturalengland.org.uk or visit www.naturalengland.org.uk\farmevents
.
-Ends-
Notes for editors:
More information about farm events in the East of England.
For further information contact:
Erin Casey on 0300 060 4423/07917587303 erin.casey@naturalengland.org.uk or
Heather Duncan on 07919 228388. heather.duncan@naturalengland.org.uk
Out of hours 07970 098005.
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife sites, ensuring that over 3,500 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats. We have recently committed £6m to develop wetland areas and have detailed biodiversity action plans covering 75% of England’s species.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
