Farming

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.

•  Over six billion meals’ worth of edible food goes to waste before making it off farms in the UK. 
• Combatting on-farm food waste could boost farm profits, bolster UK food security and help tackle climate change.  

The Hidden Wastereport (WWF) shows the massive environmental footprint of on-farm food waste, which accounts for around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions from UK farming. In terms of wasted natural resources, producing this food requires an area of land nearly half the size of Wales.  

Help us find one solution locally in Herefordshire at our networking event next week - Food from the Shire.  Turning Food Waste into Food Surplus and supporting community projects. 

Book Here

"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.