Soil Association – Organic Eggs a Farmer's View
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14,000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED FREE THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST Sept/Oct 2019 | Issue 80 Soil association – organic eggs A farmer’s view – a change in the weather NFU – keep the combines rolling Allotments – growing your own in the country Vet – Piggy particulars Smallholding – a harrowing tale Gardening – the last chance for Mr Hedgehog Kitchen garden – sowing for winter & spring harvests Image: © Colin Varndell, DMG researcher and wildlife photographer soil association | rural issues | nfu | the national allotment society | smallholding | a farmer’s view | food & drink HELPING YOU GROW MAKE BETTER USE OF YOUR LAND If you have at least half an acre of unused land, our team of experts can help you set up a site without the need for planning permission. With over 50 years’ experience, our friendly team will support you every step of the way and your campsite will be advertised to over 727,000 of our members! setupasite.co.uk | 024 7798 9491 21291 Landsman Magazine September Ad 205x274mm.indd 1 21/08/2019 14:26 Welcome! inside this issue The conversation on climate change News 4-5 continues with farming taking a bashing Soil Association 6-7 again, yet the agricultural industry Organic eggs – what’s the difference? continuously adapts its practices to mitigate its impact on the planet. A farmer’s view 8 Most of those working our land do so because they love our The influence of changing weather patterns natural world and accept the responsibility of custodians of our land. They protect large swathes of our countryside for NFU 11 millions of us to enjoy, they put food on our tables, they set Keep the combines rolling some extremely high standards in animal welfare - which The National Allotment Society 13 other countries would do well to follow – they work longs A rural plot under a huge sky hours, often in challenging weather, within a politically and economically unstable system. Whilst the majority of Rural issues 14-15 farmers acknowledge we need to embrace diversity, the Clear as mud 14 hostility from some extreme factions wanting us pedants Another one bites the dust 15 to become a nation of herbivores makes our farming community the recipients of an unreasonably unfair amount Veterinary practice 16 of bad press. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you – our Piggy particulars farmers must often feel their jobs are a thankless task. Making a country living 18-19 Education has a large role to play in showing the Knocking on the door of Backdoor Shoes general public the really positive work that goes on in our countryside. Initiatives such as Open Farm Sunday, which Helpful Holidays 21 happens every June, every year, exists to bring people on to Ensure your holiday let is ready for off-peak season farm so they can learn about farm life - over 250,000 people visited a farm this year on Open Farm Sunday. FarmLink is Smallholding 22-24 a ‘Classroom in the Countryside’ – an opportunity for school Starting with pigs 22-23 children to step outside, on to a working farm, in a ‘hands- A harrowing tale - managing your land 24 on’ approach to learning about farming life and where food comes from. 40,000 children enjoy the experience each year. Devon Rural Skills Trust 25 On an industry level, The Farming Forum recently launched Cleft gates its own public facing campaign #TheSolution in support of Dorset Mammal Group 26 its members, and an attempt to debunk some myths about Gardens – the last chance for hedgehogs HELPING farming practices. The campaign evidences facts - what our farming industry does to protect our environment. The Stags 27 campaign is going out across social media and is gaining Large scale solar panel sites traction and thelandsman team is working with TFF to extend its reach. A set of graphics is available – you can share them Gardening 28-29 YOU GROW across social media. Email us at [email protected] if Planning your orchard 28 you want to help share some facts around farming or learn Ensuring trees last their lifetime 29 more about the campaign. Kitchen Garden 30 Once again, this issue contains plenty of interesting September and October sowing for winter and spring harvests articles for the farmer, the hobby farmer and for lovers of our beautiful land. We hope you enjoy the read. Rebecca Hacker & thelandsman team twitter.com/landsmanlife PUBLISHED BY: Soap Communications Ltd | The Old Brewery | 7-11 Lodway | Pill | Bristol | North Somerset | BS20 0DH MAKE BETTER USE OF YOUR LAND [email protected] | T. 01275 400778 | www.thelandsman.co.uk If you have at least half an acre of unused land, our team of experts can help you set up a site without Editorial: Rebecca Hacker | Art Editor: Laurie Edwards | Production: Rachael Ellway the need for planning permission. With over 50 years’ experience, our friendly team will support you Advertising: Sandra Hardie | [email protected] | T. 01460 55105 every step of the way and your campsite will be advertised to over 727,000 of our members! Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of dates, event information and advertisements. thelandsman accepts no responsibility for events that might be cancelled and can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information or claims made by advertisers included in this magazine. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of thelandsman. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission strictly prohibited. setupasite.co.uk | 024 7798 9491 © Copyright 2018. Soap Communications Ltd 3 21291 Landsman Magazine September Ad 205x274mm.indd 1 21/08/2019 14:26 news Dorset Wildlife Trust offers 25% off Life Membership to News in brief celebrate biggest ever campaign. To celebrate Dorset Wildlife Trust’s biggest ever campaign, Get Dorset Buzzing, the The Roman Baths, Stonehenge and Glastonbury Festival wildlife charity is offering 25% off life membership prices named among the UK’s top experiences by Lonely Planet. until the end of October. Please visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust. Sights named among the very best in new ultimate UK org.uk/shop. If you are a current member, please contact travel hitlist ranking the 500 unmissable experiences and the DWT membership team on 01305 264620 or email hidden gems across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and [email protected] the Channel Islands. In total, 58 sights and experiences in Southwest England feature in the list, from wild swimming L&B Timber Buildings and Construction Ltd is now trading under Durdle Door at 29, spying rare red squirrels on as Lodges & Barns. The company continuously devotes itself Brownsea Island at 105, taking a trip to Burgh Island on to building bespoke and sustainable timber buildings and a unique sea tractor at 125 and seeing world-class art products to customer’s satisfaction. Visit the website in St Ives at 149. www.landbtimberbuildings.co.uk for more information. Foodie fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is asking people to get creative in the kitchen and take part in a month of foodie fundraising this October. The charity is urging supporters to host a Cook Eat Give event for friends and family and ask guests to make a donation in return. The new fundraising initiative will help CHSW support more than 500 children with life-limiting conditions and their families at its three children’s hospices across the South West, including at Little Bridge House in Fremington, North Devon. Emma Perry, fundraising manager at Little Bridge House, “We hope people will join us this October but if that date isn’t said: “Cook Eat Give is a really easy way for people to get suitable, people can host a Cook Eat Give anytime. Every meal, involved in fundraising for Children’s Hospice South West. however large or small, will make a big difference.” Everyone loves a foodie get together – whether it’s a barbeque, pizza night or themed dinner party, the choice is yours and you To find out more visit www.chsw.org.uk/cook or call Little can enjoy your food with the knowledge that you are helping us Bridge House on 01271 325 270 to speak to a member to support local children and families. of the fundraising team. Bowhayes Trees Nursery – Now open in Venn Ottery Online plant nursery Bowhayes Trees has recently opened up fruit trees as well as container hedging plants and planting a retail area on its site near Ottery St Mary, Devon. Located at accessories. Bare root hedging plants and screening trees Bowhayes Farm, in Venn Ottery (EX11 1RY), the retail nursery will be available from November. is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturday mornings from 9.30-12.30pm. For more information, call 01404 812229 The Nursery offers a lovely selection of ornamental and or visit the website www.bowhayestrees.co.uk 4 Pasture for life A new film highlighting the benefits of buying and eating 100% grass-fed meat and dairy was launched at BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace. The film was commissioned by The Pasture-Fed Livestock Association, which champions and supports farmers who never feed any grain to their animals. It was funded by the Patagonia Trust and Roddick Foundation. The short video offers a ‘Day in the Life’ of certified ‘Pasture for Life’ farming family Jonty and farmers choosing to farm this way,” said the Pasture-Fed Mel Brunyee of Conygree Farm, based on the National Trust’s Livestock Association’s Russ Carrington at the launch today. Sherborne Estate near Northleach in the Cotswolds. “We want to let people know how and why 100% grass- Starting at sunrise, beautiful shots of the farm reveal all fed animals produce such great food - with more good fats, the good things feeding animals just on pasture brings, such a healthier balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and as rich wildflower meadows, healthy soil, abundant wildlife, more vitamins and minerals, as well as having a unique happy and relaxed cattle - which all go to producing the ‘best flavour and taste reflecting the landscape where they lived.