Farming

We had 2 really fun school trips at the Gorringes inspiring Lower Blakemere farmthis summer. A huge thank you to Heather and Phil and their amazing team..

We had a sell out at our first Feast on the Farm event in collaboration with Herefordshire Meadows! 

Wicton Farm, Bromyard, is an exemplar in high welfare, sustainable dairy farming and they need your help!

England's Land Use Framework (LUF), is the government's first coordinated plan for how land across the country should be used. It sets out how land can best meet multiple demands - from food production to housing, major infrastructure, water management and nature recovery. The plan aims to manage competing demands, seeking multiple benefits for any location, and to make sure the right land uses are priortised in the right places, including considering any knock-on effects. 

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?

We recently announced our first date in the diary for our Feasts on the Farm project at Lower Blakemere Farm - exploring all things worms and composting, with HFA Feasts on the Farm to be serving up a delicious soup freshly made from local ingredients too!
Unfortuantely, due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, this event will now be postponed. We thank you for your interest, and will let you know as soon as we have more Feasts on the Farm dates to share.

This year’s Borderlines Film Festival — the UK's largest rural film festival — offered a rarebit treat: two short films from the BBC archives that reframed local food through a 50 year lens, and documented the role of food in local culture and identity.

This week there have been streams and lakes appearing where they have never, in my twenty years living in Herefordshire, been before. Driving anywhere has become what I imagine it’s like being in a monsoon; with pot holes becoming invisible in the multiple enormous puddles. 

Guest blog from alliance member and farmer, Heather Gorringe... Herefordshire has been chosen as the pilot county for an exciting new regenerative farming programme supported by the Royal Countryside Fund, working with Herefordshire Rural Hub and the Regenified certification scheme – and that is something our whole county can be proud of.

We are delighted to annouce that Herefordshire Food Alliance has been awarded Awards for All funding from the National Lottery to fund our Farm Link - Feasts on the Farm project. Hurrah!

We are proud to share the news that John and Julie of Trecorras Farm near Ross on Wye were awarded the prestigious "Soil Farmer of the Year" award jointly by Farm Carbon Tool Kitand Innovation for Agriculture at Groundswell in July 2025.

A huge thank you to Mark and Kitty and the team at Perrystone Farm for allowing us to bring the years 5 and 6 from Fownhope Primary school on 7th July.

We are very pleased to let you know that Six Inches of Soil will be shown at the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford on Tuesday 3rd June at 5.45pm. Another great opportunity for those of you who have not seen it yet. You can make a night of it as the showing has been timed to fit with David Attenborough's "Ocean" which will be screened at 7.45pm. We are also delighted to say that Ellie Chowns MP will be recording a special video introduction to the film too. BUY TICKETS HERE!

Journey to regenerative Farming.. a regenerative agriculture mentoring project. Cherry Taylor from 'Action on Climate Emergency Monmouth' shared a brilliant report about three Monmouthshire farms who received mentoring from regenerative farmer Ben Taylor-Davies, aka 'Regen Ben', who was on our Six Inches of Soil panel in Llangrove last year, as well as hosting our Autumn 2023 Breakfast Feast.

The anouncement is broadly welcomed, as is the governments intention to join up government departments to tackle the complex and urgent reform of the food system.

However, it is disappointing to see so little representation from civil society, public health, environment, nature-friendly farmers, food partnerships and pioneers of local and regional action that will be so integral to a national Food Strategy's success.

It was super inspiring to meet the team at Perrystone Farm who manage the stock there and at the neighbouring Brockhampton Estate. The team is made up by Mark, his wife Hazel, and recent recruits, Kitty and partner James, who bring their experience of working with other progressive farm systems in Herefordshire and beyond.

Herefordshire Food Alliance is part of The Marches Partnership which is a partnership with Powys, Monmothshire, Shropshire that seeks to create a food system for the Marches fit for future generations. We need your help with a bit of market research!...please share this with your networks. !

Our next Six Inches of Soil event will be in Blakemere hosted by Heather Gorringe of Wiggly Wigglers at Lower Blakemere Farm, Blakemere. HR2 9PX on Friday 14th March from 6-9.30pm. We'll be hearing all about the farm's involvement with the Ridge to River Nature Recovery Scheme alongside our usual format of delicious local food (from the Duchy Estate) and Q&A.

Producer Spotlight on Chapel House Farm, Craswall

Simon and Anita Dale farm in Craswall and Much Dewchurch and are a great example of field to fork eating, closing the food loop in Herefordshire's Golden Valley. They are an inspiration!

Herefordshire have produced the first draft of a county wide nature recovery map – and now they want your input. 

As part of the national strategy for encouraging nature recovery all counties in England are currently producing maps showing the existing nature assets, corridors and stepping stones for nature and trying to identify land that has potential for nature recovery.

Six Inches of Soil moves to the west of the county on 28th February when we head to St. Peter's Hub, Peterchurch.

Burgage Hall in Ledbury was packed this Monday 27th January when over 90 people came to see our Ledbury showing of Six Inches of Soil. 

We were treated to a feast of local food, featuring vegetables and produce from Little Marcle Organic Produce, Growing Local, The Handmade Scotch Egg Company and The Fold Veg Shed. Followed by a brilliant Q&A with James Marsden (Gregg's Pit Cider and Chair of Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership Board), Joshua Davenport (Little Marcle Organic Produce), Harvey Clay (Showle Dairy) and Ed Godsall (Mixed arable farm and agritourism) and chaired by Patrick Wrixon - North West Herefordshire Farmer and chair of the NFU Members Association in the county and founder and chairman of The Cart Shed charity.

At our recent Six Inches of Soil event in Ledbury, James Marsden (chair of the Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership) made the recommendation for everyone to read DEFRA's Food Security Report. If you haven't seen it already, you can Read the report here

Here, we are sharing Seven key points from Defra’s report summed up by Jez Fredenburgh from Agri Food for Net Zero

After a break over Midwinter we are back on the road with Six Inches of Soil coming to Burgage Hall in Ledbury on Monday 27th January 6 - 9.30pm

We'll have delicious local food to eat, followed by the film and then into a Q&A with confirmed panel: James Marsden (Gregg's Pit Cider and Chair of Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership Board), Josh Davenport (Little Marcle Organic Produce) and Harvey Clay (Showle Dairy) with more TBC. Our chair is Patrick Wrixon - North West Herefordshire Farmer and chair of the NFU Members Association in the county and founder and chairman of The Cart Shed charity.

BOOK HERE!

See you there!

Below - some links explaining some of the recent changes around tax, and what else is being pushed for by groups advocating for the future of farming and nature:

An explainer from Ed Conway of Sky News - "Do we prefer to subsidise farmers in an effort to maintain our domestic food supplies at 60 per cent of our consumption? Would we rather ditch those subsidies and rely on imports instead? Should we favour the long-term health of the environment over short term food production?  These are chewy questions - and ones we really ought to be debating a little more. This isn't just about inheritance tax…"

https://news.sky.com/story/how-climate-change-and-red-tape-could-be-jeopardising-uk-access-to-affordable-food-13272511

Sustains explainer around agricultural inheritance tax - and what else is needed

https://www.sustainweb.org/blogs/nov24-farming-budget-inheritance-tax-apr/

A clear briefing on agricultural inheritance tax and how it applies to farmers from Herefordshire Rural Hub

https://herefordshireruralhub.co.uk/hcr-law-changes-to-inheritance-tax-and-capital-gains-tax-for-farming-clients/

We are recruiting!  (Please note that this is a re-advertisement, deadline now 15th Jan 2025 and is based in Herefordshire)

Herefordshire Food Alliance, connector of all things food in Herefordshire, is recruiting a coordinator.  

The Alliance is a broad network, instigating projects of its own (such as film showings, gleaning events, food conversations, good food database) and supporting other activity in the county towards good food - that supports people, nature and communities.   The county has achieved a Bronze ‘Sustainable Food Places’ Awardand the Alliance supports and shares information that will lead towards a Silver award in the next year.

From Growing Local:

The Southside Farm, Hereford.  Full Time – March to October 2025 £25,500pa

 We have a new position within our team for an ASSISTANT GROWER to support our head grower in cultivating multi crop vegetables for our veg box scheme and wholesale customers.

 This is an exciting, challenging and rewarding opportunity to support all aspects of running a commercial community supported agriculture (CSA) market garden in its infancy.

 We are looking for someone who thrives on outdoor physically demanding but rewarding work, can work to deadlines and is practical and willing to work and learn as part of a team. Previous experience is desirable but not necessary. However strong motivation, fitness and a commitment to work the whole growing season are.

From Rural Hub:

Nutrient Management on Farm - Manageing nutrients through grazing techniques and species rich grasslands.

The second in our Nutrient Management series,  join us on Monday, book via email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From Rural Hub:

"Interested in exploring diversication options? Come along to our farm walk at Merrimilk, Little Birch, where we will have a farm tour and take a look at the vending machine process. The farm also makes cakes and produces Wagu beef. We will be joined by Ellie Watkins of Watkins Rural, who will talk us through what needs to be considered when thinking of diversifying. Lunch will be provided."

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diversification-farm-walk-talk-tickets-1064321186319

A webinar on recent budget announcements and how they affect all areas of Farming...

"It's all over the media and doesn't show any sign of abating soon – so we're hosting an 'emergency webinar' to try and bring some clarity.  This is not a tax advice webinarfor farmers, but rather a look at what's happened, what the impact could be on the farming sector, and what this might mean for its ability to transition and mitigate climate change. 

One story has dominated the media since the Chancellor’s Budget: The decision to reduce Agricultural Property Relief for farming businesses. Many farmers have been very vocal about the potential impact of this, and there is a lot of fear that it will lead to the break up (and break down) of family farms.

One of the Alliance aims is to support farming and food production that is great for nature and the local economy - here’s one!  You can find more in our Buy Good Foodpage.

Mick and Alice Westrip of Rhos Organic are an inspiration.

They run their shop/deli in Knighton and their organic market garden (a couple of miles outside Knighton) with just one other helper, Adam, who comes just two days a week.

Their vegetables are sold in the shop, and in 35 weekly boxes that are collected, or delivered to collection points including Presteigne where they also supply Daphne’s restaurant. 

Almeley Village Hall was packed to the rafters on Monday as our Six Inches of Soil Roadshow continues! We paired up with Almeley Green Group this time for what was a brilliant example of a whole community getting together in celebration of the food and farming that is on their doorstep, from the community lunch during the day right to the mammoth washing up session at the end! The Green Group have a number of priorities - working around Energy, Nature, Waste, Water Quality and now Food! and meet monthly to talk through existing and future projects. 

101 people from all over the North West Herefordshire community came to feast on local produce, see the film and hear from local farmers Colin Powell and Lucinda Lewis and Grapevine in Kington owner, Martin Peek.

...In good local food in Herefordshire right now?

If you're reading this, you're either interested in or working towards good local food in Herefordshire.  Please help us build a brilliant picture of all that's going on so that we can celebrate it, support it and do more of it!

It will take a very small amount of time and we're happy to receive your thoughts in any way - a quick note+ contact details, a document you already have, or a link. 

Here's the form!  You may see it below or click the link.

VEG BOX CO-ORDINATOR, HEREFORD

Part Time – 20 hours/week

We have a new position within our team for a CO-ORDINATOR to support our growers in delivering our new veg box scheme and wholesale veg sales.
This is a varied and exciting job based in part at our garden in South Wye and part working at home. It is a fantastic opportunity to join our newly expanding community organisation. We are looking for someone with excellent organisational, IT and customer facing skills who can confidently work on their own initiative and help drive our business forward.

We are gearing up for our next showing of Six Inches of Soil as part of the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust's Apple Day Celebration at Queenswood Country Park Sunday 20th October. The whole day runs from 11am - 4pm with the film showing at 1pm - 3.30pm including Q&A with local farmer Rich Thomas who will give his reflections on the film and an insight into the joys and challenges of farming in Herefordshire.

Tickets for the film and Q&A are £7.50 and can be bought HERE on the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust's website.

A session about the Wyescapes project is happening soon - unfortunately it's across a morning of many meetings for the Food Alliance team and steering group, so please head along and let us know how it goes! We were lucky to be updated at the Marches Food and Farming event last week but would love to hear what you think and how this ambitious long term project is going.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wyescapes-food-nature-water-workshop-tickets-1029811422687

Thursday 24th October 2024 9.30-12
Shell Store Hereford HR2 6SR

We were concerned to read the news recently that nature-friendly farming support will potentially be cut in the next budget.  Across the board - in policies relating to food access, farming, climate, rivers and more, nature-friendly farming has been recommended as a solution and as guidance in so many areas.

The Nature Friendly Farming Network, Pasture for Life and a number of other organisations are supporting this petition from the RSPB- we are also supporting it.

We have contacted the two Herefordshire MPs alerting them of both the issue and the petition, and will bring it up with them when we meet for the Parliamentary Day of Action being organised through Sustainable Food Places next month.

Producer Spotlight: 100% Hay - Vegetables, Fruit, flowers, eggs, ferments and goats cheese.

We're planning another film showing in Hay on Wyeand will have some great food producers there:  here's a spotlight on one of them!

You can find other producers that you can support on our Buy Good Food page.

Joe and Sein run a market garden adjacent to the River Wye just outside Hay. They have been trading at Hay Market for over 12 years selling virtually all their food less than a mile away from where it is grown.

From Rural Hub:

"With funding from the @countrysidefund, we are delivering the Farm for the Future programme through a series of business and environmental workshops aimed at supporting farmers and land managers/owners to navigate and take advantage of shifting agricultural policy.

 Sign up to the programme now  and learn more about the programme and event dates"

https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/how-we-help/family-farm-businesses/defra-future-farming/

After a cracking start  (THANK YOU Bromyard!)  We're heading up to Hay for the next Film Food and Farming event.

Tickets are already going fast and this is not a huge venue, so get in quick if this is local for you - you'll find out lots about people making brilliant food just down the road from you!  BOOK HERE

If not - don't fear, there are more showings coming up.

• Six Inches of Soil - Film, Food, AND Chat
• Hay Castle
• Thursday 3rd October 6pm

Our Six Inches of Soil project got off to a flying start in Bromyard last Friday 13th. The ominous date did not deter 120 people turning out to enjoy the film, food and Q&A.

A big thank you to our panel: Claire Howlett, Louise Manning and Andrew McRobb for providing such valuable insights, the audience for being so engaged, Legges for providing the food and finally to the awesome Conquest volunteers who helped make the night happen without any glitches, what a team!

Report here, quick summary below...

"This report draws on four sessions with farmers and growers about their lived experience and research on basic income and the UK farming sector. It outlines the current challenges in UK farming, how a basic income could uniquely meet the needs of farmers and perhaps most importantly, lays out the key areas and big questions the work to date has highlighted that should form the basis of further work.

At a glance:

Reproducing part of an article here, and potential courses below it, that seeks to answer a question very connected to our experiences of food producing in Herefordshire.  Full article at Didi Pershouse's website

 "I write often about the soil sponge. To me, it is the foundational infrastructure that makes life on land possible. However, there are many other factors that influence how much, and how quickly, water soaks into the ground—versus running off and creating both flooding and drought, and creating many other problems. If we want to take a living systems view of a place, we need to consider more than just a single factor.

Why it matters whether rain soaks in, or runs off

Consider this initial list of just a few of the things that are affected by a place’s ability to soak up water—whether rain, melting snow, floodwaters, or irrigation water—and hold it in the ground:

From Growing Local - news of the Big Eat and regular lunch club, both below...

Our next Big Eat is on Saturday 28th September and we'll be cooking up an all-Herefordshire feast! Soups, chilli, jacket spuds, homemade bread rolls, crumble - all using our Growing Local veggies, plus any donations of locally grown fruit and veg - if you have any to donate please do drop off at the The Kindle Centre next week - thank you!.

Please do join us anytime from 10am until 2pm at the Big Eat. Lots of cooking (and washing up!) activities to take part in, plus a jumble sale, books, bric-a-brac, tombola etc.

The Marches Real Food and Farming Convergence 2024 is bringing people together to build a resilient and regenerative food future across the Marches. We will be gathering on 4-5^th October at Babbinswood Farm near Oswestry to share, learn, co-create and celebrate. Check out the programme, which covers agroecology, regenerative farming, building strong local supply chains, policy change and food equity. 

Book your place here. Come for the day or camp or stay locally and join us for the whole event, you’ll be sure of stimulating discussion in a beautiful environment, with good local food and music.

The Food Alliance will be there, reporting back on happenings in Herefordshire - please share anything you'd like before the event to Rebecca - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

... and facilitating a session around how we link tourism, sustainable food and nature. What's worked in the Marches, what can we do more of? Looking forward to learning lots, and hope to see you there!

https://www.mrffc.uk/

Pasture-based, organic, local - Ethical Consumer sets out in its latest issue what to look for in your milk and other dairy products.

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/shopping-guide/ethical-milk-brands

We are lucky in Herefordshire to have so many farms and vending machines that we can buy direct from - and it makes a real difference. Both to local economies, to the ability of farmers to shift towards more river-friendly systems of farming, and to the wider landscape and people's wellbeing.

You can see local producers to support right here, now organised according to product type, hope that's helpful!  Watch this space for a map soon!

If you're a local producer and not on this list please get in touch!

7th September sees the annual Food extravaganza in Leominster and also coincides with the big river action day - and a perfect opportunity to support River Friednly Food!

Buy, and spread the word about, river-friendly food in Herefordshire at Leominster's Food Fayre with organic veg and flowers from Farmer Ben, plus inspiring from-scratch veggie activities from Kids Kitchenand more.  

Please email the Food Alliance and let us know if you can come and connect at this event, by talking about river friendly food, chatting to others, and sharing other river friendly food events coming up.

More info about exhibitors and programme here.

https://leominsterfoodfayre.weebly.com/exhibitors.html

https://www.facebook.com/leofoodfayre/

Two events through We are Farming Minds - for actively farming families and women in Herefordshire

"FARMING FAMILY FUN DAY - Kindly hosted by Henry & Sue Lewis 

15th September

A family fun day aimed strictly at actively farming families 

BEAUTY EVENT

Calling all actively farming women.. Take a well deserved break from the farm!

4th September

Would you like to work with the Food Alliance to make the changes we need in our food system happen?

We are an alliance of hundreds,  a steering team of thirty and a paid team of three very part-timers - for our capacity, we have quite a big reach!

We have plans across seven different topic areas in Herefordshire, and a huge number of partnerships to make and maintain - in order to make the shifts in our food system that we all so badly need.

We have volunteering roles across the county, and currently also have paid opportunities for freelance workers who have the skills, experience and passion needed to get some of our plans actioned!

The Nature Action Network is planning a host of actions on September 7th that support the river in Herefordshire.   If you'd like to be involved, and potentially focus on river-friendly food - contact Francis Weeks at the Wildlife Trust.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Trust have a map hereof local groups that are part of the bigger network...  a good way to find local people to team up with?

As part of the weekend - you could also help amplify the Food Alliance work going on right now...

Herefordshire Food Alliance presents the launch of a series of showings of Six Inches of Soil with Conquest Theatre Bromyard!

Friday 13th September 6-9pm

The film follows three farmers on the first year of their regenerative journey to heal the soil and transform the food system from an 11^th generation arable and sheep farmer to a small scale market gardener. As the trio of young farmers strive to adopt regenerative practices and create viable businesses, they meet seasoned mentors – John Pawsey in Suffolk, Nic Renison in Cumbria and Marina O’Connell in Devon – who help them on their journey.

Ticket includes a beautiful local river friendly buffet and Q+A with super-local farmers and growers!

We're so happy to be working with Leggesto provide the food, themselves working towards Pasture for Life status for their farm (a great way to show river friendly farming methods) and alliance steering members Wicton Farm for the Q+A.  If you are a local producer and interested in being part of the event, please get in touch.

To book for Bromyard, go here

https://conquest-theatre.co.uk/ticketsource/

For more about the other showings, tastings and Q+As with local producers - see here.

...from Growing Local...

We are looking to recruit new members for our produce shares! We started our veggie scheme in early July and are now able to expand to more customers who want to share in our harvest

Local, seasonal, chemical-free and sustainably grown veggies from Herefordshire available for collection from our farm (on the Great Western Way path/cycle route - between Newton Farm and Grafton Lane) or hub points in Hereford (The Kindle Centre or Castle Green) each Wednesday of the year

We have two sizes of box - a HALF SHARE (£48/month) or a FULL SHARE (£70/month)

Click on the JOIN OUR CSA page to sign up and we will be in touch shortly to set you up from August or September

https://growinglocal.org.uk/join-our-csa/

A couple of recent articles of interest:

News in Farmers Weekly of how one company is dropping dairy producers providing 'low volumes of milk' - wonder how this fits with other pushes towards supporting farmers to move towards stock levels that build soil and regenerate rivers...

Plus a useful article from The Guardian explaining the cost to the consumer and the producer of huge food corporations, and how we might break monopolies up. 

From Alison at Future Farms...

www.farmgarden.org.uk/future-farms

"We’re developing three 3-6 hectare plots with dwellings for the establishment of agroecological fruit and veg growing enterprises. Looking for growers with two years experience

Here’s more information and details of how to make an expression of interest: www.farmgarden.org.uk/sites/farmgarden.org.uk/files/v4._eng_future_farms_grower_criteria_.pdf

Closing date for enquiries is 14^th August 2024"

Members of the Alliance steering team had a real treat last Friday to meet in person, reflect and plan.  And eat!

Not a single picture was taken - sorry, we were too busy  chatting!  But plenty got done and some draft plans were made.

Please join us in this last bit - have a look at where we got to and let us know what you think about priorities for the next year - 2024 into 2025.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uoZmSckXh34_yPsnc4_GdR4MdwjDzKUdY-lhznbeUKE/edit?usp=sharing

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust is on the lookout for new trustees.

The Wildlife Trust works for nature in all parts of Herefordshire - within our farmed landscape, heritage orchards, and other places of food and nature.

If you'd like to help shape how this happens, perhaps this is the role for you!

https://www.herefordshirewt.org/jobs/become-trustee-wildlife

News from Growing Local, specifically a request to support a planning application, with their newsletter this month.

Do sign up to keep in touch.

"We have an urgent requestfor our readers - please support us in our second planning application which is now live on the Herefordshire Council portal. This application is for our much needed track across the site so that our growers and agricultural vehicles/deliveries can access our two main fields. It is very strictly not for the public use, but is essential to conduct our growing activities and site development. We would be extremely appreciative of a supportive comment - the deadline is Saturday 6th July. Thank you!

As ever there's plenty going on at Growing Local beyond our veggie growing, school visits a plenty to our gardens, volunteer days, lunch clubs, community lunches, this Saturday's Big Eat.....wholesale veggie selling.  This week we open bookings for our action packed summer holiday programme of childrens and family workshops. Please do visit our Instagram and Facebook pages for lots of reels and photos of all our exciting garden developments and events."

More here:

https://mailchi.mp/growinglocal/growing-local-news-shoots-39-july-2024?e=6d703d4549

Herefordshire Food Alliance is supporting the Manifesto for the Wye:

"We call on the Governments of the UK and Wales to establish a single, cross-border approach to tackling the pollution crisis across the Wye catchment."

https://www.wyemanifesto.org/

The River Wye is dying, being destroyed by pollution resulting from the intensification of agriculture and release of sewage. Increasingly desperate calls have been made for meaningful action to be taken: in 2022 by Herefordshire Council, then 2023 at a roundtable convened by the Wildlife Trusts, and in 2024 in court by River Action. It has not happened.Therefore:

We call on the Governments of the UK and Wales to establish a single, cross-border approach to tackling the pollution crisis across the Wye catchment.

Herefordshire Food Alliance has written to all General Election candidates in Herefordshire to share the brilliant work that has already been achieved by this vibrant alliance, show the evidence for policy that supports partnerships across the UK and ask them what they'll be doing in the next Government to make it happen!  The full letter is below, with any responses we recieve.

Have a look at Sustain's 'Manifesto Tracker'- exploring "political party commitments on food and farming" and evaluates how these pledges align with the Sustain Manifesto 2024, with assessments provided by specialists in various themes such as farming, climate and public health.

... And a blog series - "If I were a Food Minister" from the group behind the Food Conversation.  It crops up again and again in conversations - what would YOU do if you were a Food Minister...? 

Our questions to candidates, and any replies received, are below.

Dear General Election Candidates for Herefordshire!

I am writing to you on behalf of Herefordshire Food Alliance. We are a network of groups, organisations and individuals working towards a thriving and sustainable local food economy – for healthy lives, communities and environment. We’re linked to Sustainable Food Places nationally and proud to say that Herefordshire as a county holds a Bronze Award.

It was exciting and heartening to be part of the national #thefoodconversation on Monday night, right here in Herefordshire.

After a hearty snack of 100% Herefordshire soup, local cheeses, bread and chutneys - we got stuck in to the conversation about our food system. A video set the scene and we then heard from two local producers about where they are in the 'food system'.

What do people want? Well, after looking at many things working, and not working about food right now it was pretty hard to whittle down the very many thoughts in the room but a few themes seemed to run across all the tables and chats.

Policy change- regulating ultra processed foods, and supporting both independent and local food production. But a clear call for policy to be co-created by ALL of us!

We're excited to be part of an Apple Day event this autumn with a difference!

Along with Herefordshire Wildife Trust, cider and juice makers, and many others we'll be celebrating the role our county's most famous fruit has in keeping our countryside healthy.

A Celebration of Nature-Friendly Food and Traditional Orchards
20th October 2024
Queenswood Country Park from 11am

HWT say:  To celebrate National Apple day, we are bringing together local cider, perry and juice producers to shine a light on the critical role of sustainable agricultural practice in safeguarding our precious ecosystems. You're invited to immerse yourself in a vibrant gathering, showcasing an exceptional variety of regional fare, informative talks and apple related activities. 

We will be at Hellens Garden Festival in June, doing all sorts of things!

We'll be signposting to all the great vendors who have sourced local river-friendly food for the event, and telling the story of where it comes from.

Well be chairing the farming panel, and we'll be enjoying the food waste panel too, with Alliance steering team members on both!

More of what's on here:  https://hellensgardenfestival.co.uk/whats-on/

"Join us for an unforgettable evening as the team at Carriages, in partnership with Hancocks Meadow Farm, hosts an exclusive event featuring a four-course meal crafted from the very best Herefordshire produce.

Indulge in the exquisite flavours of Valley Drover's cheese, the succulent finest lamb, and the renowned Oak Before Ash cider, all directly from Hancock Meadow Farm, a 50-acre family-run small holding in the heart of Herefordshire.

Each dish will be a testament to the farm's dedication to ethical and sustainable practices, showcasing a joint commitment to the "from field to fork" philosophy."

Can you take a half hour to make a comment on the Draft Local Plan?

The Local Plan for an area guides all decisions about planning and land development.   It has to be pulled together with evidence, and by consulting with residents and groups.  Currently, Herefordshire's draft Local Plan is being consulted on.

The Food Alliance has looked at Herefordshire's Local Plan, against what we have agreed we are working towards in Herefordshire.

As you know - we are a broad network of groups, organisations and individuals working towards a sustainable local food economy for healthy lives, communities and environment.

LAUNCH - BROMYARD 13th September

We are so pleased that we have a packed calendar of events now, with ten confirmed locations for our Six Inches of Soil roadshow!

Venues will range from village halls to community cinemas, we even have a castle in the mix!  More dates and locations below.

Herefordshire Food Alliance will be working with parishes and environment groups all around the county to hold collaborative food and film events over the next 8 months, centred around food and farming in Herefordshire. 

We can't wait to get started on a roadshow of great food and stories, celebrating the soil and how we use it here in Herefordshire!

 All events will have their own local flavour but will include:

We were proud to be part of the Marches Forward Partnership event this week, bringing Herefordshire produce and the story of where it all came from along with our three other food partnerships too!

Herefordshire Council is working with Shropshire, Monmouthshire and Powys to create 'cross county, cross country and cross party' relationships that will build nature, transport, housing, skills, health, tourism - and of course food.

It was heartening that so much of the talk was about sustainable food, and of this being an essential solution into the future.

Farm Soil Workshop:  Niels Corfield

"Looking to improve soil health, increase on site biodiversity, or struggling with issues of wet lying ground? Wanting to grow more grass in drought and with less fertilizer?

You are invited to come along to our upcoming farm carbon workshop with regenerative agriculture consultancy Niels Corfield - How poor soil and pasture health is bringing systemic weaknesses to grazing operations and what to do about it.

From Ecological Land Co-op:

Farm with us on the Gower peninsula

We are looking for landworkers to take on a One Planet Development (OPD) plot at our Furzehill site on the Gower Peninsula. Furzehill is home to the Rowan Tree, the first One Planet Development smallholding in Swansea, as well as Cae Tan, a well known Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) business.

20th April Stroud - 21st April Cheltenham - 9th May Worcester - 10th May Ross on Wye

"Everyone should see this show" George Monbiot

Three Acres and a Cow is back in the area...  a show that connects the Norman Conquest and Peasants’ Revolt to contemporary issues via the Enclosures and Industrial Revolution, drawing a compelling narrative through the people’s history of England in folk song, story and poem. Come and share in these tales as they have been shared for generations.

https://threeacresandacow.co.uk/shows/

I'm sure many reading this will agree, as they know it in their bones - allotments are great.  You've met friends, got good produce, from yours or an enthusiastic friend, or just felt better to get on your plot after a stressy day.

Well, the Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation have helped us out by actually quantifying it - showing that financially, for Councils and communities, allotments are an investment that bring multiple, quantifiable benefits.   These benefits include achieving net zero targets,  aiding nature recovery and reducing waste.

Herefordshire Rural Hub's event:

"Due to the demand for our last SFI workshop we are holding another! The event will include details of the scheme, the range of options, how to apply them on farm, how to meet evidence requirements and a demonstration of how to make your application online"

Book here, and more  events from Rural Hub can be found at their WhatsOn page

https://herefordshireruralhub.co.uk/whats-on/

At the end of February Friends of the River Wye arranged and hosted an event attended by a range of stakeholders both responsible for, and whose actions impact the River Wye.  The list is in the description of the video and included Avara Foods, Noble Foods, the Environment Agency and Farm Herefordshire.

"More than 500 people packed out the Blake Theatre in Monmouth to hear the latest solutions to tackle the crisis on the Wye from farming groups, food processors, NGOs and the chairs of the EA and NRW. The clear message from the night was that we have had plenty of time and advice - now the regulators need to provide consistent enforcement of the rules."

Link to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hFL6TK6MXA

The composting website Wiggly Wigglers have a Farm Tour in Herefordshire...

"Welcome to Wiggly Wigglers Farm Tours! 

Join Farmer Phil on an inspiring journey through our sustainable and regenerative farm practices. Each tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Our Farm Tour Includes:

Guided Walk with Farmer Phil

• Explore Our Regenerative Journey: Dive into our transition towards sustainable farming and our aim for Net Carbon Zero by 2030.
• Soil Composition Insights: Learn about the importance of soil health for our ecosystem and the environment.

We were very happy to talk about Food Alliance work and how it ties in with Herefordshire's climate goals at the Herefordshire Green Network March event, sharing the work of the Climate and Nature Board.

Forging a Path to Net Zerobrought us up to speed with the work towards net zero across all areas, and was attended by 80+ people.   You can view it here

The Climate and Nature Partnership Board was set up as a result of a citizens assembly on climate and comprises volunteers from various areas supporting the council with targets.  Rebecca, the Food Alliance coordinator sits on this board and food alliance priorities reflect the board's priorities.

The Farming / Land Use update from Steve Klenk is at 25 mins, our Food update is at 37 minutes and before that is a whistlestop tour from the Chair of the Climate and Nature Board of all that's been done, and what we are parctically talking about when we are planning zero carbon, nature rich.

Check out Growing Local's full newsletter here...   Including a tree planting day, and more shared meals...

"Somehow or other we are nearly at the end of February after another industrious month for Growing Local and the Southside Project. Our children's education garden is making solid progress - it's fantastic to see vegetable beds in place ready for planting and seeds have now started to be sown this week by school groups in our recently installed polytunnels. Our growers Katie and Laurie have been extremely busy planning and buying equipment, materials and seeds to start the CSA. Katie tells us more about how and when the CSA will operate below - we're all starting to get just a little bit excited about our impending first harvest of veggies! If you are free this Saturday then please do come along and help us on our special tree planting day. "

"Tuston Market Garden in Herefordshire was started from an arable field in 2018. We
have created a productive veg plot, 3 polytunnels, soft fruit and flower areas,
meadows and woodland. We are certified Organic and practice no-dig methods,
selling our produce at farmers markets, local veg boxes and restaurants.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Seasonal Grower to work alongside Alice (the Head Grower)
and other family members. The role will be 3 days (22.5 hours) per week from mid
March to September.
The role will include propagation, bed preparation, planting, weeding, compost
production, harvesting and markets, as well as other infrastructure activities as
required.

Opportunity from the Wildlife Trust:

"From cider-making to green burial sites, Risbury Court Farm is a very special place.

With 250 acres around the ramparts of the iron-age hillfort of Risbury Camp is a traditional Herefordshire mixed farm of hops, cider fruit, cereals, sheep and pedigree Hereford cattle. Having been farmed since 1843, this picturesque spot has been in the same family for decades. The farm is now run by Richard Thomas and his father, a fifth-generation farmer who is somewhat of a maverick in his regenerative approach to agriculture.

Richard is an accomplished speaker and with his extensive knowledge of regenerative farming techniques, explains how long-term, sustainable food production can be delivered not only profitably, but also with huge co-benefits for soils, water, biodiversity and the climate.

Check out Growing Local's Newsletter for January,bit of a summary:

• Next Big Eat is 10th February at Kindle Centre
• Friday Lunch Clubs in 3 Hereford Venues
• Volunteering at the Growing Site on Tuesdays
• And they're fundraising for benches and tables.

You can sign up to their newsletter on their website

https://growinglocal.org.uk/

The Wildlife Trust in Herefordshire has a new group in Leominster and there are loads of food links to be made...   Join them for thier launch!

"Join us to celebrate the launch of a new Herefordshire Wildlife Trust branch in Leominster for the residents of Leominster and the surrounding areas.

Monday 29 January 2024,  7pm

From We Are Farming Minds:

"Our next FREE Mental Health Awareness Workshop will be on Wednesday January 17th at Services for Independent Living, Leominster Enterprise Park, 1 Owen Way, Leominster HR6 0LA.  This workshop is open to anyone living or working in/with the farming community in Herefordshire.  

You can choose from either a morning session or afternoon:

Morning session - 9.30am to 12.30pm

Afternoon session - 1.30pm to 4.30pm

Booking is essential - please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know if you would prefer a morning or afternoon session.  

When you book, please also let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or if you need any accessible course material.

https://www.wearefarmingminds.co.uk/events/mental-health-awareness-workshop-11

We're SO PROUD of this! So many people are working towards joined up, good value, nature-friendly food in Herefordshire and this shows how worthwhile that hard work has been!

The County of Herefordshire is a BRONZE Sustainable Food Place!

Over 85 diners enjoyed a 3 course meal at The Bookshop Hereford in the last of three “100% Herefordshire” Autumn Feasts on Tuesday 14 November.

As well as great local food they were treated to a surprise announcement that the County has achieved a Bronze award from Sustainable Food Places - recognising the collaboration and hard work that’s gone into all areas of the food system in Herefordshire, from food banks through community gardens to restaurants and farming. 

A Herefordshire survey is showing an increase in awareness among farmers and farm managers is showing a big increase in awareness of the challenges around phosphate issues.  Those that replied have a much higher awareness of the issues plus think it is important too.  

The questions were written by the Herefordshire Rural Hub and distributed by Farm Herefordshire partners.  Full Survey Results here.

If you'd like to learn more about phosphate issues and other nature friendly farming solutions - have a look at some of the links in the 'buy good food' post.

https://herefordshirefoodcharter.org.uk/blog/local-food-and-drink-producers-herefordshire

NEW MILK VENDING MACHINE  | A brand new milk vending machine has opened in Herefordshire!

The vending machine has opened in the village of Tarrington! It also stocks various other items, including organic cheese, butter and chocolate!

We'll add it to the growing map of places to buy great sustainable food in Herefordshire - if you know other places not on the map, please get in touch!

https://herefordshirefoodcharter.org.uk/blog/local-food-and-drink-producers-herefordshire

And if you've got some skills in making siomple databases talk to maps, especially using Airtable, please get in touch and help us out as we'd like to make it so much better!

As part of National Tree Week, Leominster Community Orchard (Millenium Green, below the Priory Church) will be holding a Pruning session

Volunteers welcome

Saturday 25th November 10am – 1pm

Instruction provided, bring gloves and tools and wear strong shoes

More information from 07961795466

https://hgnetwork.org/leominster-community-orchard-3/

Info through HGN - sign up to their newsletter!

Two opportunities to support food producers in difficult situations from Landworkers Alliance

STORM BABET - SUPPORT PALESTINIAN FARMERS

STORM BABET FLOOD APPEAL

Last week, amid an array of red weather warnings, Storm Babet hit the east coast of Scotland. Farmland across Angus and Dundee has been devastated by flooding, caused by extremely heavy rainfall and rivers bursting their banks, and three people have reportedly lost their lives. Many farmers, growers and landworkers, both from within our own membership and the wider farming community, have been severely affected.

Another great feast!

Thanks to the Open Arms group in Kington for hosting

And to Kington Kleen for much apple pressing

And to Madame Zucchini for her vegetable fun

And to lots of people of all ages that got stuck in to making pumpkin gnocci + colourful slaw  - so tasty!  Kids Kitchen's Gnocci recipe is here.  

Many thanks to everyone who came to Breakfast on the Farm on Sunday to enjoy food, to talk about their own produce, and to find out more about farming as a solution yesterday!

Chef Simon served up a superb two-course breakfast with honey, berries and oat groats to start, all washed down with juice Kefir and a herb tea blend!  It didn't end there with a plate of cow-lloumi, sausage from within 20 minutes away, Herefordshire baked beans and eggs from the farm - with a seasonal twist of braised apple in place of tomato.  Tasty.

We heard from a few of the people that grew and reared the food and Ruth shared the journey of some of the produce - including some that we weren't able to source in our current system.

Good news - this produce is available, and being sold direct right here in Herefordshire so you can recreate our breakfast feast with all the details below - whether you were there or not! 

LEAP offers funding and mentoring to small agroecological businesses which are producing good food for their local communities.

The Loans for Enlightened Agriculture Programme (LEAP) supports small-scale agroecological food and farming enterprises with funding and business mentoring. LEAP offers a mix of loan and grant.
Businesses we support

We support all types of agroecological and community-based food and farming businesses, from micro-dairies and bakeries to ethical supermarkets and veg box schemes. We work with people who share our commitment to transforming the food system at a grassroots level. Watch our short video (2 min 37 sec) to hear from some of the farmers, food producers and retailers we’ve supported.

https://realfarming.org/programmes/leap/

Hosted by Berkshire/ Buckinghamshire Wilife Trust, this free event links our food system to nature and vice versa.

If you'd like a similar event here in Herefordshire, perhaps with our wildlife trust and connecting it to the specific issues we have like the health of our rivers, please be in touch.

"We are delighted to welcome Professor Tim Lang and Vicki Hird to a special webinar following the BBOWT AGM. Our food systems are reliant on thriving nature and a stable climate. This webinar will look at how nature's decline and our food systems are linked, and what we can do to create a more resilient food system in the UK.

Tim Lang is Emeritus Professor of Food Policy at City University's Centre for Food Policy. Hill farming in Lancashire in the 1970s formed his interest in the relationship between food, health, environment and culture, which he's worked on ever since. He's currently working on how to improve civil food resilience and defence. 

Vicki Hird is a campaigner and strategist who has been working on environment, food and farming issues for more than 30 years. As well as her role at Sustain, she is working on agricultural issues with The Wildlife Trusts movement. Her recent book, Rebugging the Planet, pays homage to insects and other invertebrates, examining why they are so essential to our ecosystems."  

https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-food

Ecological Land Cooperative and Landworkers Alliance

Join the ELC as an Ecological Land Farmer

"We’re on the hunt for passionate landworkers and ecological entrepreneurs who are ready now, or will be ready in the next 1-2 years, to build an ecological growing business on an ELC plot.

We don’t expect you to be ready to go today. We are very keen to hear from you if you are passionate and committed to gaining enough experience to set up a small farm business. This business could be any land-based enterprise – from fruit and veg, to animal products & dairy, fibre, fuel and medicine.

Riverford Organics have created a petition asking all supermarkets to commit to 5 sourcing principles.

"Almost half (49%) of British fruit and veg farmers fear they will go out of business within the next 12 months. 75% report that supermarket behaviour is a leading factor.*

If all supermarkets committed to these principles, the lives of farmers would be transformed - giving them stability, a reliable income, and protecting the future of British food and farming for the long term."

We're writing an open letter to the supermarkets,calling for change - but government support is vital too. Add your voice to ours by signing our petition. It's quick, easy, and will make a big difference. We're aiming for 100,000 signatures so that this can be debated in Parliament"

FInd out more and sign here

Sharing news below of Little Pomona's Open Day this Sunday in Bromyard - there are many more celebratory Apple Events over the next two weeks!

This post has a round up of most- which includes the Hereford AppleFest listings and others.  There's also more apple fun with the two Alliance cooking sessions with surplus produce for Ledbury and Hereford Food Banks and Larders.  Please continue to share these gleaning events, thanks.

From Pomona:

"Come and enjoy Hereford AppleFest with us during our Open Day this weekend!

Herefordshire Food Alliance had a great time on day one of the Marches Real Food & Farming Conference last week.

The conference was organised by the @shropshiregoodfood partnership and brought together an excellent programme with experts from small scale growing to composting, to local restauranteurs and much more. The Growing Local team joined the 'collective growing at scale' panel chaired by the alliance, talking about the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) element of the Hereford Market Garden project, along withThe Fold's CSA and Canon Frome Court, an intentional community in Herefordshire.

There were Herefordshire representatives in many of the panels and workshops, including Applewood Permaculture, Alliance member Jo Hilditch joining the 'nutrient run-off' panel and more. We're excited to keep those conversations and to have made links with neighbouring areas in themes of food, tourism, nature.  Looking forward to next year!

We also hope to bring these conversations to the Autumn gleaning and cooking events - and the three Autumn feasts. See you there!

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner events this Autumn.  100% Herefordshire, 100% River Friendly.  Come for great food and to find out more about your county's produce!

Breakfast Was EPIC!  More on the producers and the gorgeous food here!

Lunch at Open Arms in Kington  was a blast! 

More on producers, films from the barn to watch again, punkin gnocci recipe here

The final feast at The Bookshop Restaurant, Hereford - the 14^th November is now FULLY BOOKED

Help the whole county get recognised for its work to make great food happen here in Herefordshire.

This Herefordshire Food Alliance formed in January 2021, coming out of the Food Poverty Alliance and the Food and Tourism Partnership.

Soon after that we were able to become members of the Sustainable Food Places network - linking us to everything else going on nationwide to build great local food econoomies, supporting us with funding and meaning we can get more done locally.

The whole county has been really busy since - you can see from the blog! you can see from the blog!

Sustainable Ledbury present:  Life on an Organic Dairy Farm  with Alliance member Claire Howlett.

Please share this blog post and the post from our Instagram and encourage as many local people as possible to come!

Monday 21st August
6.30 p.m. in the Burgage Hall,
Church Lane, Ledbury

The FIRST EVER Marches Real Food & Farming Conference is on 15th and 16th September

"Together, we can create a regenerative and resilient food future here in the Marches"

Herefordshire Highlights:

• Herefordshire Farmers Ben Taylor Davies, Billy Lewis, Ben Andrews, Jo Hilditch plus more will be there,
• Pat and Lou of Growing Local will be part of the collective growing session chaired by Food Alliance coordinator Rebecca (FRIDAY 15th September 6.15pm)

An invitation from Perry Walker:

Intensive Poultry Units (IPUs) in Herefordshire, discussion at De Koffie Pot, Hereford, Wednesday July 26^th, 7.30 to 9.30pm

An incredibly controversial topic, with strong views for and against. Can we find a way forward that works for everyone? Come along and find out.

Contact Perry Walker This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07858 750936 for more information

You can book here on this link

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/win-win-workout-on-intensive-poultry-units-tickets-681505500297

Spotlight on a community garden:

Based at Headway Herefordshire, Growing Point offer therapeutic gardening sessions weekly.

"Herefordshire Growing Point began as a registered charity to provide horticultural therapy in Herefordshire. Now, with our charity manager and a team of tutors and volunteers, we offer weekly gardening sessions for about 200 clients. All our funding comes from donations and grants from charitable trusts and individuals."

Do you know a place where people grow together?

We're working on a map - you can suggest additions on this form here.

(The map will also have info on where to BUY good food and EAT it too - watch this space!)

Inspired by a conversation with Little Marcle Organic Produce we have found the Farming For Change Podcast featuring another Herefordshire Farmer Ben Taylor Davies.

What do you think?  Are there other podcasts / publications / people that cover good food and have a local connection, or you think are useful?  Please share!

Here are a few

Agroecology Cools the Earth - plusother publications from Landworkers Alliance

We've seen a few food jobs this week to share:

...And we're still keen to hear from Freelancers with project, organisation, outreach and events experience who are keen to build this movement in Herefordshire.  Check out our role at the end. 

The Fold | Tack Farm | Crumplebury | Food Alliance

There was a real range of voices bringing the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust's new Strategy to life in their Launch this week.

'Bold' was one of the words used a lot!  And partnerships.

Wye AONB, The Arts College, Farmers, Wye Valley Brewery plus campaign and community groups such as Bartonsham Meadows and Friends of the Upper Wye all shared their thoughts on how this is fitting in what's already going on in

Patrick Wrixon, farmer and member of our Alliance steering team emphasised food and food production needing to be at the heart of nature strategies.  The trusts plan to develop exemplars of Nature Friendly Farming certainly links in witht he work of the Food Alliance and we'll work in partnership where we can.

"To recover nature, we need 30% of all land in our county properly managed for nature by 2030. And that’s good for other 'public goods’ too, such as cleaner air and cleaner water. Working together, we can create bigger, wilder, more connected landscapes across our county, so that nature, people and local economies can thrive."

We'd love to have a presence for the Food Alliance at the Restore the River event in Castle Green Hereford on 2nd July -

Making the link between great food and farming, and healthy rivers.

However we have limited capacity...

Will you already have a stall at the event?  Can you host some alliance postcards and informative laminated info?

More about the event here and below.

Sharing two articles and a petition from our friends across the border - in some aspects we are in a similar national picture to them, but their potential solutions have differences. What could we take from their campaign here in Herefordshire?

"Some of you may be aware of Our Food 1200 ( OF1200) which has been energetically campaigning for over a year to shift the volume of local sourced horticulture being grown by smallholders locally. Initially the focus was on Bannau Brecheiniog National Park (BBNP), and Monmouthshire. This has now extended to include Powys.

The 1200 figure in the title was an aim to create 1200 acres of horticulture within Monmouthshire and BBNP. (Calculated for the level of veg needed for the population)

Many complex barriers are currently preventing growth in small holder horticulture:

• Govt farming subsidies exclusion
• Planning policy on rural enterprise dwelling
• Access to suitably serviced land
• Potential legal constraints on County Farms.

Two major articles have been published on the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) Agenda online written by directors of OF1200. Here are the links.

"Why are we surrounded by thousands of acres of green fields suitable for growing fruit and veg while having a waiting list of experienced farmers unable to access any of it?"

https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2023/06/how-wales-gets-its-food-back-fruit-and-veg-farming/i

"We call for action on two fronts. First, we make the case that Government must let small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers live in a real home on the land they’re working, and stop expecting them to live and raise children in caravans. Second, we call on Councils to repurpose County farms into thriving small-farm enterprise hubs, producing high-quality food for local people, creating jobs, enhancing local wellbeing, and potentially generating more income for them than the current single tenancy system."

https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2023/06/getting-back-our-food-let-there-be-farms/

If you empathise with the cases being made, please sign the petition to the Senedd (link below) asking for WG to reconsider the agricultural subsidy rules that currently exclude smallholder horticulture from subsidy.

We want farm subsidies to be extended to small scale and market gardeners. - Petitions (senedd.wales)

Time is of the essence since WG are under huge pressure to bring in the new regime of subsidies for farmers, post Brexit. So please act and send to your other networks to add to the petition."

FIRST voluteer session on the new site:  21st June!  More info below.

The next BIG EAT at the Kindle centre is on 24th June, this theme is Refugee Week with a 'feast from across the globe'

And they have welcomed their new Head Grower, Katie

Get on the newsletter to keep up with the many things going on.

https://growinglocal.org.uk/contact/

Putting Life into the Soil: Llangarron.  Thurs 15th June 19.30-21.00 pm

Local Regenerative Farmer Regen Ben at The Garron Centre, Llangarron. Putting life into the soil not taking it out. Please book at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as seating numbers are limited.

Water Security in a Changing Climate  - Ross on Wye, Tuesday 11th July 1pm. 

Securing and Sustaining a resilient supply for your farm.   The Mill Race, Walford, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5QS   1.00pm, Book on Eventbrite

Food highlights of the four day Caplor event include some local sustainable food providers on Tuesday 6th June, and agricultural talks on 7th June.

More details of each event here

"Caplor Energy, is excited to announce a four-day public event celebrating “100 years @ Caplor”.

The event will take place from the 5 to the 8 of June 2023

Tuesday 6 June – Caplor Energy and Eat Sleep Live Herefordshire present a “Herefordshire Showcase” with a local artisan market, crafts, activities and competitions.

Wednesday 7th June – Agricultural Event
A opportunity for the rural community in Herefordshire to come together, hear from industry experts and find out about renewable energy solutions designed by farmers for farmers.

SUNDAY 28TH MAY - 10am to 4pm

BELMONT WANDERERS AWARDS & FUN DAY @ The Belmont Wanderers Football Pitches

"Growing Local attended this event last year and are back again this year, it’s a really special day celebrating all the amazing players, teams and work Belmont Wanderers do - we are proud to be their project partners! Lots of stalls, food, drinks and football mayhem. Look out for our green information gazebo and come and talk to us about the Southside project and Growing Local Gardens plans. Regular Walks & Talks of the new site, seed kit giveaways and more.

More info about the Southside and Growing Local Gardens project can be read here.

Today Pat and Lou from Growing Local signed the Southside Funding Agreement to release the Stronger Hereford Towns Fund, towards their part in this project - including a market garden and a cook school. "A monumental move forward for ourselves and our project partners Belmont Wanderers and NMITE.  Two and a half years of work and we are finally at this very significant day! I think it’s fair to say we’ll be out celebrating tonight!"

A Market Garden and Cook School for Hereford is on the way!

https://growinglocal.org.uk/the-growing-local-summer-newsletter/

Here's Martin Lines, chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network's thoughts on the Food Summit hosted by the Prime Minister and DEFRA this week:

"The last 18 months have highlighted the fragility of our food system, which has lurched from one crisis to another. With extortionate input costs, weather extremes and soaring food prices, it’s been a challenging period, to say the very least. What can’t be ignored in conversations about food security is how these circumstances lock heads at the same intersection: climate change, nature loss and dietary ill-health.

If you're not already, get informed about the farming methods that provide solutions to  rivers, support biodiversity and build better communities - get stuck into Nature Friendly Farming Week's webinars!

"Join us in celebrating our annual Nature Friendly Farming Week 15th - 19th May. Join our webinars and follow along on social media as we shine a spotlight on #WhoFarmedYourFood"

Daily themes:

• Monday – What is nature-friendly farming?
• Tuesday – Species-rich Grasslands
• Wednesday – Soil
• Thursday – The Farm Ecosystem
• Friday – Slow the Flow

book webinars here

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/nature-friendly-farming-week-2023-2150039

Two practical hands-on events for farmers in the next month focusing on building soil, reducing pesticides and maitaining yield.  Farmers will need an SBI number - and you get lunch :)

Holistic approach to reducing pesticide use and improving returns -

Boycefield FarmDilwyn

Tuesday 16th May 10am – 1pm Farm walk with Billy Lewis (farmer) and Ben Nott (WUF Catchment Adviser), followed by lunch.

Food, farming and nature are featuring in this month's County Council election demands - and promises.

 Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Herefordshire CPRE, Friends of the Upper Wye and Friends of the Lower Wye are calling for new allotment sites to be established - at least 50 plots, plus rewards for farmers shifting to 'sustainable and regenerative methods of production'.  More about the Hustings that was convened, and the pledges of the panel that attended, here.

Another chance to find out about the Southside Project and Growing Local's new market garden on Saturday.  "Fitness Football and Food"

More info at Growing Local's website.

https://growinglocal.org.uk/growing-local-gardens-open-days-events-april-may-2023/

"We are planning on holding three open events in April and May to talk to people about how they can get involved in our project by:

– volunteering to help develop the site into our market gardens, educational garden and orchard areas – we are looking for help in everything from gardening to hedge laying, carpentry to bee keeping!

– taking on a future vegetable crop share

– coming along to our workshops, events and training opportunities (for schools, families, children, young people and adults)

Foraging Taster and Well Dressing this weekend:

"Enjoy wandering the nature trails and views of the Teme while you learn some of the wild edible plants sat in the hedgerows , how to harvest them safely and sustainably, how they can enhance dishes and learn how to re-awaken your senses to the natural world.

Recharging your wild spirit restores the balance many of us lose in the hectic pace we call life in the modern world.

An interest in nature led Chef Alex into wild cuisine while working for an ancestral skills school, teaching game prep, wild cooking, foraging and fermentation amongst other things.

Join us on an outdoor experience that will awaken your senses, learn new skills and have a greater understanding of nature. Followed by a light forage inspired picnic.

Please message to arrange any dietary requirements and further details"

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/foraging-the-fold-tickets-594540585897

Event - 25th April 7pm with Herefordshire Meadows and Buglife:

"Join Buglife and Herefordshire Meadows to learn about the Get the Marches Buzzing project and how it is connecting up wildflower-rich habitats across Shropshire and North Herefordshire, working to restore habitats for rare and declining pollinator species like the Dingy Skipper butterfly (Erynnis tages) and the Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola). Most importantly, find out how you can help on your own patch."

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/get-the-marches-buzzing-building-a-pollinator-highway-in-the-midlands-tickets-608562876947

The Fold are launching a CSA - community supported agriculture where you can be part of a thriving farm, and get vegetables, without living on a farm!

"As a Member of the Fold Community Farm, you purchase a “veg share” which gives you a weekly veg box of freshly-picked, organic, seasonal produce, delivered to your chosen collection point.

As a bonus, you will enjoy free community events, such as guided farm tours, communal meals and volunteer days on the farm! You’ll also get to vote on how the scheme is run."

Our friends across the border have an interesting event if you're thinking of looking that way for food growing land...

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/using-community-finance-approaches-to-support-agroecological-farms-in-wales-tickets-595896100277

"Are you trying to secure land for an agroecological farm in Wales? Have you been considering whether, crowdfunding, grants, community shares or loans from ethical investors, but you aren’t sure what is right for you?

Come along to this event on 24th April, run with the Landworkers’ Allianceas part of the Resilient Green Spaces project, to hear from and ask questions to organisations with experience in the field, and those who have supported them to do so.

Our Shropshire neighbours have an opportunity for farmers and those connected to agriculture under 30 - deadline 30th April.

Share your vision for the future of our food and farming in Shropshire & the Marches

What do you think are the most promising approaches to a regenerative and resilient local food future? Share your thoughts using real examples of what is happening across the county - any format welcome.

What you get:

• Your writing/podcast will be showcased by SGFP in our comms and at MRFFC
• Free 2 day ticket to MRFFC
• £250 to cover time and expenses
• Best entrant will have opportunity to work with SGFP in production of a series of case studies and/or podcasts (subject to acceptable standard being met)

A free workshop run by We Are Farming Minds - details below.

We Are Farming Minds also have many resources on their website https://www.wearefarmingminds.co.uk/

"Our next FREE Mental Health Awareness workshop will be on Wednesday April 19th at the HFYFC Offices, Beech Business Park, Tillington Road, Hereford HR4 9QJ.   You can choose either a morning or afternoon session:

Opportunity for a HEAD GROWER to set up a CSA Market Garden in Hereford

From Growing Local:

"We are offering a fantastic opportunity for an experienced agroecological/organic grower to enable Growing Local to establish a new 16 acre CSA market garden within walking distance of Hereford City.

The market garden forms part of the development of The Southside Project transforming 35 acres of green space on the edge of the city into a vibrant community destination with sports pitches, gardens, a community hub learning space, affordable cafe, farm shop and field to fork cook school. The project is funded by Hereford’s Stronger Towns Fund.

An update from Growing Local:

"Our project is rapidly taking shape and we now due to take over our 3-field 16-acre site immediately after Easter!

We are planning on holding three open events in April and May to talk to people about how they can get involved in our project by:

– volunteering to help develop the site into our market gardens, educational garden and orchard areas – we are looking for help in everything from gardening to hedge laying, carpentry to bee keeping!

– taking on a future vegetable crop share

– coming along to our workshops, events and training opportunities (for schools, families, children, young people and adults)

And so, so much more!

"Drought is not a lack of rain. It's a lack of infiltration."

Great to hear lots of talk of food at the water catchment event in Ross this week, organised by the  Wye Valley AONB Partnership.

The way that we produce our food needs to be in harmony with our rivers, and the event detailed methods to do just that - agroforestry with Stephen Briggs, building soil health with Niels Corfieldand plenty of thoughts relevant to farming systems and Natural Flood Management with Chris Uttley.

Here's the second recording from the  vending sheds and infrastructure eventthis week.

Glenkens Food Hub shared their experience of setting up a joint hub online that a big variety of producers use, and local producers and consumers shared and got questions answered. 

A Farming Perspective - Where do we Go from Here?
Monday 20th March
7 p.m. at the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, Ledbury

 "Patrick Wrixon has farmed in Herefordshire for over 40 years. He has been involved with agricultural organisations Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), and the NFU.

Patrick will give a presentation followed by discussion and questions. Come and join in the debate.
No tickets required but donations welcome to cover the cost of hiring the hall."

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS (Speakers & Panel Sessions) From the Shropshire Good Food Partnership -

Marches Real Food & Farming Conference

We're pleased to announce the first ever
MARCHES REAL FOOD AND FARMING CONFERENCE.
SAVE THE DATE:

September 15-16, 2023, at Linley Farm, Shropshire.

The aim of this conference is to bring people together around agro-ecological farming and food systems, to inspire each other, share good practice, build networks and create the community that can bring about the transition we need. As a bio-region, 'The Marches' (both sides of the
England/Wales border) offers us a huge opportunity to focus our efforts.

Food needs land...  Sustainable food means great land management - here's an interesting event coming up...

"The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership Seminar: Enhancing water catchment through innovative land management.

Influencing policies and practices to conserve and enhance water resources in our outstanding landscape. This is a free event.

Join us for an inspirational day of talks from leading experts in soil and land management, agroforestry and Natural Flood Management, including:

Niels Corfield - Regenerative Agriculture Consultant
Stephen Briggs - Abacus Agriculture, Nuffield Scholar
Chris Uttley - Stroud Valleys Natural Flood Management Officer

Followed by a Q&A panel discussion.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/enhancing-water-catchment-through-innovative-land-management-tickets-556558470367?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Do you have land that you would like to ensure stays in ecological agriculture in the future? Would you like your land to support the next generation of agroecological farmers?

"The Ecological Land Cooperative is a not-for-profit community benefit cooperative, creating access to land for new entrants to ecological farming.

We have huge ambitions, but we need your help. We are inviting landowners to consider gifting land to the ELC, to help support a new generation of agroecological farmers- now and into the future.

Assistant Flower & Veg Grower Sought at Wye Organic
"Wye Organic was established in early 2021, and following a successful first two seasons we are looking to expand the team. We currently grow ½ acre of vegetables and flowers in an historic Walled Garden along with ¼ acre of polytunnel space; and this year we will start growing in an additional ¾ acre walled garden, all entirely no-dig.
Set in the stunning landscape of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, the garden is part of a traditional estate producing organic beef, lamb and more, all to principles of Regenerative Agriculture.

The application deadline is Sunday 26th February 2023."

https://52d41522-58ce-4502-9c51-c4c033fbec08.usrfiles.com/ugd/52d415_f62662a07de34f23bb27d0c69f38edc2.pdf

The government has announced new funding for small abattoirs  - and campaigners say it will be 'integral' to the future of local and sustainable farming.

"The availability of funding will help abattoirs to invest in new technology and improve productivity and animal health and welfare, allowing our agriculture sector to get its high-quality produce to market.”

Sustainable Food Trust who have been campaigning for this for years say  "funding will be vital to help the small abattoirs modernise and thrive. Their services are the cornerstone of sustainable, local meat supply chains.

Farm for the Future

Explaining Sustainable Farming Initiative & Country Stewardship with Kate Speke-Adams

Wednesday 15th February 2023   Bunch Of Carrots, from 12 noon.

To book please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday 25 February 2023 at Lansdown Hall, Stroud.

Marina O’Connell is a Director of the Apricot Centre CIC, a carbon negative regenerative farm and wellbeing service in Devon. She is an experienced permaculture designer, trainer and author of Designing Regenerative Food Systems and Why We Need Them Now. Her approach weaves together permaculture design, agroforestry, biodynamic farming and other regenerative techniques.

Event through the Rural Hub:

Thursday 9^th February 2023

10.00am – 12.30pm

At Leadon Vale Farm, Crowfield Lane, Dymock, Glos, GL18 2AE

(courtesy of Mark and Fiona Woodall)

"This workshop with Lucinda Lewis (Wye & Usk Foundation) will give an introduction to carrying out some basic soil assessment tests, with the aid of the Soilmentor App.

Do you farm in a way that restores your soil, increases biodiversity, minimises carbon emissions and also feeds people?

Or do you want to support farmers that do in what and where you buy your food?

A new websitehas launched, by a group of farmers in Somerset to make it easier for both these things to happen.

It has a map - which is currently very sparsely populated but we can change that :)

Farming in the Wye Catchment area - Regenerative Methods

Catchment Sensitive Farming invite you to an evening of discussions with Ed Horton and Billy Lewis. Both farmers will share their experiences using
different ‘re-gen’ and mixed farming practices and how these benefit not only the environment, but the productivity of their
businesses.

Wednesday 25th January – 7pm start (prompt) at Luctonians Rugby Club, HR6 9SB
Evening food will be provided, and a pay bar will be open. Text or call Alice to book 07557 315 435.

More here

Herefordshire Council have a document out for consultation on agricultural planning.

It's aiming to do two things - "outline the issues that may arise in relation to agricultural development"  and also provide a tool for working out the amount of phosphates a development may produce.

If you have the brain for it, please take a look from a food perspective - does this guidance on agricultural planning support the production of local sustainable food here in Herefordshire?  Does it support the people that are producing our local sustainable food?

Let the food alliance know what you think - and contribute to the consultation.

You can see contributions so far here

Wicton Farm have an opportuity!

"We are a regenerative dairy farm in Herefordshire and we are reaching out to connect with people who have passion to join us. We are searching for a young dairy farmer / new entrant and also for a person who desires to make cheese or process high quality milk. Ideally you will already be skilled in the job role, but for the right worth while person we will happily train you or allow you to learn.

Looking for a new challenge for 2023?  Here's a message from Tudge Farm who sell at Leominster (tomorrow) and Hereford Farmer's (19th Jan) markets.

"We are on the hunt for someone to help us out on a part time basis with our meat packing and processing. Approximately 15-20 hours a week, mornings with some full days.
Work includes packing and labelling our meat ready for our farmers' markets, cooking hams and sausages rolls, curing bacon, slicing and dicing. Based on the farm in Richards Castle.
Love of sausages essential!

For more information and a chat about what's involved please call Guy on 07977 592028 or Chris on 07789 274775 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please share with anyone you feel may be interested."

Alliance coordinator Rebecca has been at the Oxford Real Farming Conference this week. It's now the biggest event for 'agroecological' farming (modern, mixed, with nature and food production side by side) on the planet.  It was great to see new and existing alliance contacts there!

Hear more about the ORFC on Farming Today here and below is one snapshot from Rebecca - for more snapshots check the blog.

Feeding Britain from the Ground Up.

One of the final sessions at the conference was centred around a report that makes the case for a Britain that can feed itself.

Feeding Britain From the Ground Up is an attempt to provide answers to the question: What should I eat to be healthy and sustainable?

Alliance coordinator Rebecca has been at the Oxford Real Farming Conference this week. It's now the biggest event for 'agroecological' farming (modern, mixed, with nature and food production side by side) on the planet.  It was great to see new and existing alliance contacts there!

Hear more about the ORFC on Farming Today here and below is one snapshot from Rebecca - for more snapshots check the blog.

Joining the Infrastructure dots

Over the last 30 years, a vibrant network of 'agroecological' short supply chain and direct sales businesses has developed in the UK but they are currently a tiny portion of the market. We are also losing infrastructure that supports small farmers- small abattoirs for example. 

Alliance coordinator Rebecca has been at the Oxford Real Farming Conference this week. It's now the biggest event for 'agroecological' farming (modern, mixed, with nature and food production side by side) on the planet.  It was great to see new and existing alliance contacts there!

Hear more about the ORFC on Farming Today here and below is one snapshot from Rebecca - for more snapshots check the blog.

Financing the transition to Agroecology
There was lots of talk of baselines at this session - there are now global and national targets to reduce emissions, which requires measurement in itself, but also targets to protect nature, also needing to be measured with much of the work for this being passed to farmers. 

Food Alliance Coordinator Rebecca will be heading to the Oxford Real Farming Conference in early January.

"With over 350 speakers across seven venues, January’s in-person programme offers an extensive range of keynote presentations, panel discussions and workshops on everything from farm practice to food sovereignty, land justice to farming policy, food politics to land-based traditions and knowledge."

Note change of time and date!  It got popular!

6-8 pm Sunday 11^th of December

Public Hall Bromyard

Talk:  Creating a Community Farm for Bromyard

Peter Lane who is organising says:

I have access to funding to set up, and build a Research & Development facility to develop systems for vertical farms, and this will create up to about thirty jobs.  As part of the project we will have training/meeting rooms as we will be providing training for those interested in the subject.

In addition to the above we want to set up the following:

• Petting zoo
• Cafe/shop
• Modern allotments suited for the less able.

"Just wanted to say how great the event was"

"Thanks for the meeting - interesting and useful"

Thanks to the 50+ farmers, community projects, caterers and others for coming to Food from the Shire - it was great to have a full room and many, many thoughts shared.  We heard from farmers, caterers, community growers, food banks and larders - and we have many plans to take forward!

Many thanks to the Green Dragon Hotel for hosting, and for many Food Alliance members' input to make it happen.

Click on the image or the link to view notes, links and next steps from the event.

Food for the Shire November 2022 - Google Slides

What Next?

One Planet Developments were launched by the Welsh Government in 2011 as a policy for rural developments that enhance or maintain the environment on the land they are on.  Many of the developments produce food, and out of this has come 'one planet produce' for food produce on these developments.

The One Planet Council has been supporting people to navigate their way through this and has launched a detailed review of the ten years of the OPD policy in Wales.  They are seeking support with a crowdfunder so they can share the findings far and wide.

"Basically what we're doing here is trying to stop writing out cheques to people.  Using the sun and the soil..."

It was such a pleasure to be taken around Billy's award winning Herefordshire farm. The Farm Carbon Toolkit's Soil Farmer of the Year at 25 years old - the whole thing was an inspiration!

Through changing some of their farming methods for methods that 'regenerate' the soil, the farm has more than halved its nitrogen fertiliser use, which has meant a drastic drop in outgoings and a big increase to the health of the soil.

Thanks for siging the Herefordshire Food Charter, Tuston Farm! Supplying freshly grown organic produce locally, through a veg box scheme, farmers markets, directly to food businesses and through farm shops. 

Alice has transformed an 8 acre arable field into a brand new, organically certified, Market Garden and wildlife haven.  She's in her fourth growing year on this site, alongside Dom who is an ecologist and keen on creating a meadow and encouraging wildlife along with the tasty veg.  

Veg pick ups are in Tarrington, Ledbury, Hereford and Ashperton - and you can find them also at Farmers Markets in Bromyard, Knightwick and Ludlow.

THANKS FOR COMING!  EVENT WRITE UP HERE

Are you a farmer, grower, producer or caterer here in Herefordshire?  Do you know who could use your surplus food, where to take it and how to do it economically?

Come to a networking event to prevent food becoming waste and get it on to the county's plates!

• Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford
• 10th November 2022 3-5.30pm

Thanks for signing the Charter Lane Cottage Produce - brilliant to have you in the alliance!  Pesticide-free salad leaves here in Herefordshire. 

Check out their Instagram for more info and their website for details of where you can buy their tasty leaves.

And sign the charter hereto support sustainably grown local food!

Farming Community Canon Frome Court will have an opportunity to look around as part of the show Three Acres and A Cowin September.
With a walled garden for the veg and very small scale pasture-fed dairy / meat there is plenty to have a look at.

With Herefordshire-based, Mixed Farm Winner of the Soil Farmer of the Year competition.

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 2pm - Dilwyn

Based in Herefordshire, Billy’s focus on the farm has been to regenerate tired soils which have previously been in a high-intensity arable system through integrating livestock alongside increasing species diversity. The arable rotation on the farm is fully integrated with herbal leys and diverse swards to ensure livestock are able to graze and improve soil health and productivity.

Back in 2021, members of the Food Alliance asked this question of people with an interest in sustainability and food in Herefordshire. 

Here's what that room shared - what would you add?  What catches your eye?  what would you love to know more about? 

Sign the Herefordshire Food Charter, and stay in touch with what's going on!

Launched last week at a Herefordshire Green Network gathering, we're delighted to say that the Herefordshire Food Charter is now live.

Members of the Herefordshire Food Alliance have been co-ordinating, connecting, supporting and sharing across key areas of the food system in the County and this food charter is the next step in bringing activities together - and inspiring more.   Food has a huge economic, social and environmental impact and working together we can address this here in our county.

The charter means that individuals and organisations can pledge to Grow, Source, Choose, Cook, Eat, Share - and not Waste - good food.