Farmers, conservationists and community members came together for a discussion on the topic of “Food vs. Nature?” hosted by Ledbury Food Group and Sustainable Ledbury. Panellists shared their insights and took questions from the floor, as the discussion explored some of the most complex challenges facing Herefordshire: how do we support thriving food production while restoring nature and protecting our rivers?
Opening the discussion, Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire, reflected that she was pleased the event title - “Food vs. Nature?” - included a question mark!
Instead of setting food and nature in opposition, Ellie believes real progress is made through collaborative problem solving to find “win-win” solutions. Ellie shared her clear position that farmers and farming must be central to solving the challenges facing nature and the River Wye. She reflected that some of the most nature-connected people she knows are farmers. However, as well as better funding and support for farmers, she is advocating for regulators such as the Environment Agency to be given the resources they need, and for evaluation of a Water Protection Zone for the Wye.
The UK’s farm holdings account for 69% of UK land area. So, farmers Dreda Darling, Joshua Davenport and Esther Rudge shared their own insights of how “land sharing” with nature on ecologically rich farms can sit alongside “land sparing” approaches that set land aside for nature recovery.
Dreda, who farms at Caradoc, on the banks of the River Wye at Sellack, explained the habitat restoration opportunities developed through the Wyescapes landscape recovery project. These project proposals have recently been submitted to Defra for a competitive review process to select landscape-scale projects for the top tier of the governments Environmental Land Management Scheme. Wyescapes’ long-term plans involve 49 farmers and land managers collaborating across 5012 hectares along the river corridors of the Wye and Lugg in Herefordshire to restore habitats, recover nature, naturally reduce flood and drought impacts and improve river health, whilst sustainably producing food on climate resilient farms.
Dreda spoke about how conservation modules in her zoology degree combined with her lived experience growing up on a Herefordshire farm, inspired her to take a masters in sustainable agriculture and food security. She is now running the 700-acre farm and pursuing opportunities for restoring wood pasture and meadow habitats on her mixed livestock and arable farm. She also reflected the added psychological benefit of farming for improved biodiversity – that it is good for the soul.
Joshua described how Little Marcle Organic Produce’s agroecological system — with diverse horticultural crops grown across just 22 acres alongside plenty of trees — creates a farm that is itself a thriving habitat for nature. Dragonflies, red kites and hares all flourish there. He explained that agroecology is not only a set of farming practices, but also a scientific approach and, at its best, a social movement. He also highlighted the very real challenge to for enterprises like his, to provide a viable income to those who dedicate themselves to growing food this way.
Representing Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Ian Grafton shared insights from the Wye Adapt to Climate Change project, including work with farmers on natural flood management.
Esther Rudge, speaking both from her own farming experience at Ballingham Court family farm and as vice chair of the county NFU, reflected on the immense economic pressures farmers face. She noted that wheat prices today have only risen only a small amount over the 4 decades since she started working on the family farm in the1980s, far below inflation, whilst the total costs of production have soared; just one stark example of the difficulties for farm businesses to balance the books.
The discussion ranged widely across issues of food systems, resilience, environmental recovery, affordability of food, and the economic realities facing farming communities. There was thoughtful conversation about the true costs of food production, how environmental and social costs of food production are often externalised, and the impact of disproportionately powerful large corporates within the food supply chain.
Despite all the pressures and uncertainties, what stood out most clearly was the enduring passion the panellists shared for farming and for the future of the countryside. Despite all challenges, there was a strong desire to see young people continue to enter the industry and a commitment to building farming systems that support both people and nature.
Events like this remind us how valuable it is to gather, listen to different perspectives, learn from each other, and deepen our shared understanding as we work towards a healthier future for food, farming and nature in Herefordshire.
You can find out more about the farms, including Little Marcle Organic Vegetable Boxes, and the Wyescapes project on the links below.
Little Marcle Organic Produce (including fruit and veg boxes): https://www.lmop.farm/
Caradoc Farm: https://www.caradocfarm.co.uk/
Ballingham Court: https://www.ballinghamcourt.co.uk/
Wyescapes Landscape Recovery Project: https://herefordshireruralhub.co.uk/wyescapes/
Herefords Wildlife Trust, Wye Adapt to Climate Change: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/wye-adapt-climate-change-project