The first half of the year has flown by in a blaze of activity. It is certainly a year of change, with the UK and devolved nations reviewing and implementing new strategies to benefit, preserve, and prosper both people and land.
The UK Government is currently developing a Land Use Framework, a 25-Year Farming Roadmap, and a new Food Strategy. Additionally, the publication of the Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget is a stark reminder of the crucial role of agriculture and land use in halting the UK’s contribution to global warming. Targets have been set in line with the Balanced Pathway to net zero by 2050, necessitating a reduction in sheep and cattle numbers; a rise in the planting rates of new woodland, and a rise in the proportion of upland peat in natural or rewetted condition; and a decline in average meat and dairy consumption.
Our research has shown that these targets are not only achievable but surprisingly welcomed by many farmers. The issue isn’t a lack of willingness, but a lack of supported choice. It is therefore a critical time for organisations such as ours to help guide the narrative and the policy decisions that ensue. It’s been a busy few months and so far, this year we have:
Published our Manifesto and a Policy Brochure which lays out evidence-based recommendations to government in the areas of farmer support and land use change. Our policy brochure has been endorsed by many key organisations and individuals. If you or your organisation are interested in endorsing our policy recommendations then please email molly@stockfreefarming.org
Met with DEFRA’s ‘Agricultural Net Zero Pathways’ policy team in Westminster, who were very supportive of our suggestions for policy change and asked lots of great questions. Now it’s just down to ministers finding the courage to do the right thing!
Arranged a meeting with the Climate Change Committee for June 25th to discuss how our policy recommendations can enable the targets set out in the 7th Carbon Budget.
Our research has shown us that there are three requirements for farmer change: Information, Demonstration, Remuneration. Farmers want to know what other farmers are doing, whether it is working, and how much money they are making. To that end, we have created a promotional video featuring the work of some of our transitioning farmers, employing the amazing talents of Paul Bates from Realm Video. Over the past year we have interviewed three farmers who have received support from Stockfree Farming during their journeys from traditional livestock agriculture to a diverse range of profitable stockfree initiatives.
Most recently, we visited one of our brilliant farmers in Ayrshire. This farmer recently purchased 43 acres of mixed woodland and pasture and will be establishing a hazelnut orchard. He is keen to demonstrate how this area of former sheep grazing can become more productive, simultaneously producing food for human consumption, restoring nature, supporting biodiversity and sequestering carbon. The level of innovation and aspiration that this farmer has is incredibly inspiring, and we know that his story will spark interest amongst other farmers.
Once the final edits have been completed, the film will be shared widely on our website, social media pages, and at the in-person events we will be attending this summer. Watch this space!
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Last month, Sam spent three weeks volunteering with Peter and Patrick who run Meadowfields Farm in Caithness. Meadowfields is a new stockfree organic certified farm which began selling to the public last year through their self-service veg shed. They grow a vast range of fresh fruits and vegetables at their main 4-acre site near Halkirk. In addition, they also have another 100-acre site nearby, where they’re exploring different options for food growing and habitat restoration.
Situated in Caithness, they’ve encountered numerous challenges to producing fruit and veg, namely a shorter growing season, strong winds and heavy rain. Given these difficulties, we arranged for one of our advisory team members, Mark Dickinson, to come and lend his expertise. With Mark’s extensive experience of successfully producing fruit and veg in similar conditions in Orkney, there were many pearls of wisdom he could share. Mark spent three days with Peter and Patrick, walking around each site and discussing all the different aspects of the farm from ground preparation through to markets.
Much of his advice is now being put into practice, in particular the creation of lazy beds at their main site, which will help crops from becoming too waterlogged; and beginning peatland restoration works for their larger 100-acre site. Following this, Sam has been assisting Peter and Patrick with finding and applying for government funding through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (e.g. payments for including wildlife areas and for organic farming) and the Peatland ACTION fund (peatland restoration works).
Peter and Patrick have big plans for Meadowfields such as expanding their fruit and vegetable growing; welcoming more wildlife onto their farm; and making the space more accessible for visitors, volunteers and workers with disabilities and additional needs. We’re eager to continue helping Meadowfields where needed and are excited to see how it develops in the years to come!
Be sure to drop by their self-service veg shed if you’re in the area! You can find them on Google Maps or on Facebook. Expect a case study of their farm to follow on our website in the near future.
Violet's Vegan Comics 