Farmers in Harmony With Wildlife and Country Lovers
TWO farmers from the North-East are celebrating their success in the regional final of a national farming awards scheme. Graham Dixon, of Alwinton in Northumberland, and Chris Hodgson, of Piercebridge, Darlington, will now go forward to represent the region at Natural England’s Future of Farming Awards scheme at the national award ceremony on November 15.
The new scheme has been established to celebrate environmental excellence and innovation in wildlife-friendly farming. It singles out for recognition farmers such as Graham Dixon and Chris Hodgson who have made the greatest contribution to conserving England’s special wildlife and landscapes while helping people have greater access to our natural environment.
Chair of Natural England Sir Martin Doughty said: “The awards will give all 16 regional finalists the recognition they deserve for the important achievements of farmers who have set a new standard for environmentally friendly farming and provided inspiration to others. The awards are proof of the new contract between society and farmers, in which farmers supply public goods and services to the public.”
Regional winner Graham Dixon’s family run an upland farm at Alwinton in Northumberland National Park. It supplies organic lamb to a major high street retailer specialising in high-quality food and other organic outlets. The animals are cared for by a full-time shepherd and grazed on high quality multi-species herd-rich pasture using sustainable, low impact farming systems.
Once managed using a conventional high input farming system of fertilisers and slurry, Alwinton Farm is now into its second 10- year Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement and managed under a certified organic system.
Meadows are now managed to encourage diversity of grasses and flowers which attract a wide variety of insects, mammals and birds.
Mr Dixon said balancing stock levels had been the key to Alwinton’s successful management system: “To get the very best out of our animals, they have to be in a low stress system suited to their environment, and should have a high standard of welfare and stockmanship.”
The low stress environment also has benefits for the hundreds of visitors to the area; Alwinton Farm has more than 200 hectares of open access land which allows people to experience the spectacular Cheviot Hills landscape.
Runner-up Chris Hodgson has worked wonders on his 100% organic grassland farm at Piercebridge, where much of the land has been reclaimed from gravel extraction and had limited worth in biodiversity.
He has restored old neglected hedgerows and planted new ones. Riverside fields are swathed in bluebells in spring and the locations of ground nesting birds are recorded so farming operations such as grass cutting have little or no impact on them. The Hodgsons sell local produce – including their own organic pork and chicken – through their popular farm shop and cafe. They encourage public access to the farm, with several groups using it for themed walks, and they support community initiatives such as the Camphill Trust (a farming community for people with special needs) by supplying eggs and selling their produce in the farm shop.
Natural England launched The Future of Farming Awards scheme at this year’s Royal Show last July.
Since then, judging panels made up of Natural England experts and representatives of the National Farmers Union and the Country Land and Business Association have been scrutinising applications.
Panel member for the NFU Louise White said: “Mr Dixon is a well deserved regional winner. We were particularly impressed with the way he has proactively marketed his business coupled with a strong environmental focus. It was a close finish between Mr Dixon and regional runner-up Mr Hodgson, who particularly impressed the judging panel by developing a thriving organic business with strong environmental credentials and establishing good links with the local community.”
The winner and runner-up go forward to the final round, where a national panel chaired by Peter Allen, Natural England board member and North-West region NFU chairman, will select the overall winner and runner-up. They will be announced at Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire, on November 17.
FARM FACTS
ALWINTON FARM, NORTHUMBERLAND.
ALWINTON Farm was one of the first in the area to adopt stewardship. The entire farm is managed under a certified organic system and is now in its second 10-year CSS agreement. Meadows are managed to promote diversity of grasses and flowers.
More than 200 hectares of the farm has open access which allows people to enjoy the Cheviot landscape, Coquetdale and the many archaeological features on the farm.
At present, a scheme is being developed with Harbottle Primary School farther down the valley, Northumberland National Park and Alwinton Show to bring parties of inner-city schoolchildren to increase their awareness of the countryside.
In addition to the farm income, the Dixons run a small business designing and manufacturing furniture made from locally grown hardwoods, felled selectively.
PIERCEBRIDGE FARM, DARLINGTON
LARGELY situated on land reclaimed from gravel extraction, the farm had limited biodiversity. But Chris Hodgson has carried out extensive planting of hedgerows and restored older, neglected hedgerows, which has involved irrigation and intensive weeding.
Several groups use the farm for themed walks including the Darlington Dawn Chorus and naturalists’ groups.
It is proposed to restore some walls which are locally distinctive, being lime mortared and believed to be constructed with stone from a Roman fort.
The farm is 100% organic and down to grass, finishing store lambs, fattening pigs, laying and table chickens, and supports 14 staff as well as the Hodgsons.
See www.naturalengland.org.uk
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