Author: Izzy Knights
My family owns a 500 hectare arable farm near Bury St Edmunds and I feel lucky to come from an agricultural background. When I was young I spent my days exploring the farm, searching for wildlife and often trying to save any injured animals I came across. I think this played a large role in my decision to study Zoology at University. I'm fascinated by the idea of my two biggest interests, farming and wildlife, coming together in the form of nature-friendly farming - the vastly important practice of providing food and homes for the wildlife, such as wild birds and insects, on farmland. Farmers can do this in lots of ways, including planting seeds that grow into food and shelter for wildlife, or looking after safe places where birds can nest such as fallow patches or hedges.
I view our farm as nature friendly, although we are not part of any funded schemes. I believe the success of the way we farm is reflected in the variety of wildlife I encounter here. Some years we plant wild flower patches which attract huge numbers of bees and butterflies. It is amazing to witness a sea of flowers alive with insects! I'm proud that our farm is also home to some of the most threatened farmland birds in the UK such as grey partridges, yellow wagtails and skylarks.
Of course, farming is a business. It’s the only source of income for some families, and we are all growing food for the rest of the country, so it is important for us to produce high yields. On our farm, we do that in harmony with giving farmland nature a home – now that’s what I call a win win situation!
I love coming from a farming background because I get to spend the day surrounded by nature. Although I am working, I never need to go far to spot wildlife, which is a real treat. I believe that nature-friendly farming is an opportunity not only to help out our wildlife but also for farmers to give back to the environment in which we enjoy spending our days.
To find out more about wildlife friendly farming in partnership with the RSPB, visit: www.rspb.org.uk/farming