This week I have been focussing on the launch of the Green Food Project, and how we meet the challenges of producing more food whilst also improving our environment.
There are no easy answers, but it is possible to achieve both. In the 12 years that we have owned Hope Farm, we have increased profitability, production and seen a significant increase in biodiversity. The successes we have had at Hope Farm are not a one-off. Our annual Nature of Farming Award celebrates farmers across the UK who deliver both environmental benefits and profitable, sustainable food production. This is possible regardless of location, business type or farming system – last year the Award was won by an upland livestock farm on the Isle of Mull, and this year our regional winners and highly commended farmers include larger scale lowland arable, small mixed farms, a pet food business, organic, free-range, and timber.
This is my first year as a judge in the competition and I have to say that the standard of entries has been very high, and it is great that we had more farmers enter than ever before. The eight regional winners of the 2012 competition are very impressive and should feel very proud of their achievements.
The next step in the 2012 competition happens next Friday (20th July) – this is when the public vote opens to choose the overall UK champion for 2012. This stage of the competition is not only rather exciting but also important as it helps raise public awareness of the essential role that farming plays in our society. So don’t forget to come back and vote.
It is clear that there are many farmers across the UK who are rising to the challenge posed by the green food project and have found practical ways to reconcile the objectives of both production and improving the natural environment.
Agree with what you say redkite especially the NFU.
Having visited Hope Farm I have always thought it has a lot to contibute in the Green Food debate and that the NFU, DEFRA and the EU CAP should pay more attention to it as an example of what can be done.
As a separate issue looks a though we my see some spike in food prices later this year/next due to the servere drought in the US.
Hi Martin,just a general comment of the fact that your blogs are nice to read because of your optimistic attitude that you always seem to maintain even when it would be easy to see the bad side of things.Think people who blog need to realise that several pessimistic blogs together gets people downhearted.