Farmer Clusters Pete Thompson Game & Wildlife Conservation - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Oct 28, 2022 315 likes •510 views

Farmer Clusters Pete Thompson Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Biodiversity Adviser Landscape scale - the best way to manage soil, water & wildlife? So, what are Farmer Clusters? Farmer clusters set out to improve

SLIDE 1

“Farmer Clusters”

Pete Thompson Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Biodiversity Adviser

SLIDE 2

Landscape scale - the best way to manage soil, water & wildlife?

SLIDE 3

So, what are “Farmer Clusters”?

Farmer clusters set
ut to improve soil,

water and wildlife, by a number of farmers joining forces to work closely together on a landscape scale, rather than as individuals on their own farms.

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But, will farmers work together and do they understand the potential benefits?

Absolutely, but a good “leader” is crucial.
They find this new approach - listening to them and

helping them to address issues – more bottom-up & less top down – very refreshing.

They enjoy the social aspect.
They feel empowered by having ownership of their
wn group.

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It is ALL about “bottom-up” and NOT “top-down” - plus working together

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Farming – the good life!

– CAP Greening measures. Water framework directive. SSAFO. – Pesticide regulation. Neonicotinoids. Pollinators. Farmland birds. –

Biodiversity. Bees. Controlled traffic farming. Precision farming.

– Minimum tillage. Rotations. Resistance. Disease. LERAPS. CRD. – X compliance. Welfare regulations. Access. GAEC. Poaching. – RPA inspections. Fly tipping. Flooding. Drought. Climate change. – Badgers & TB. NVZs. Sewage sludge. Farm animal ID. GHGAP. – Sustainable Use Directive .Environmental impact assessments. – SSSI’s. Scheduled monuments. CPD. Hedgerow regulations. – Soil protection review. Control of noxious weeds. Diffuse pollution. – Tree preservation orders. Catchment sensitive farming. HSE. – Soil erosion. Off road vehicles. NRoSO. Food Hygiene Regulations. –

CPD. Water abstraction. Disposal of hazardous waste. Crow act.

– Point source pollution. Safe disposal of enzyme treated sheep dip. – Voluntary initiative. Tried & T

ested. Wildlife & countryside act.

– Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) & Phosphorus Regulations ............

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Training:

Bring training events to

the farmers – relevant to the area

The farmers choose

what they want or need up-dating on

They choose when,

where, how, and by whom

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Engaging with the public

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Monitoring: Harvest mouse survey – Selborne Farmer’s cluster

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An quick lesson on how to find a harvest mouse nest!

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Harvest mouse nest

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Ready for the off!

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Harvest mice around Selborne

One record for the species in a 5km radius of the

village – way back in 1999 on a nature reserve!

Assorted volunteers, including many farmers

turned up to survey

Nobody had ever found a nest before.
At the end of the day we had found 159 nests!
The survey continued and has now found and

recorded 481 nests in the area

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DEFRA minister Liz Truss visiting the Selborne Landscape partnership

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The facilitation fund

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Facilitated groups:

Worth 7.2 million over

3 years

49 farmer clusters
981 farmers involved
Covering 210,404

hectares (519,697 acres)

12 more farmer

clusters targeting flood prone areas

SLIDE 17

Martin Down “super cluster” – around 33 farmers covering 12,000+ hectares

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