Natural England

Natural England supports Open Farm Sunday at Hampden Bottom.

Hampden Bottom Farm in Great Missenden is inviting families and friends to spend a day in the fresh air while exploring the life on the farm and the nature it sustains during Open Farm Sunday on 10 June. Countryside lovers are welcome to visit this 1200 acre arable farm anytime between 11am and 4pm.

Open Farm Sunday is a national day allowing people to hear and see the positive steps farmers are taking to look after the fabric of the countryside while producing safe, wholesome and affordable food.

The event at Hampden Bottom Farm is organised by Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) and sponsored by Natural England.

Visitors will be able to enjoy guided walks throughout the day to see the wheat and oil seed rape crops and hear what the farm is doing to encourage the wildlife. Neighbouring farmers will be showing off some of their sheep and calves. Also on display will be machinery, including the large combine harvester.

Tea and coffee will be available and visitors can bring a picnic. Entrance is free but visitors must register their attendance in advance with Ian Waller at the farm on 01494 488567. Organisers regret that no dogs are allowed.

Hampden Bottom Farm is situated in the Chiltern Hills some 3 miles outside Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. It aims to produce high quality crops as well as look after the environment. The farm was one of the first, and largest, in the South East to be accepted into the DEFRA Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. As well as a range of arable crops, it has a small flock of rare breed sheep to graze the species rich chalk grassland.

Alan Law, South East Regional Director of Natural England comments: “Open Farm Sunday is a great opportunity for people who might not otherwise get the chance, to visit a local farm and find out why farming matters so much in the 21st Century. Visitors to Hampden Bottom will be able to see first hand how the farmer works to protect the land and the wildlife and, of course, to produce good food for us all.”

The role of farmers today reflects the changing needs of society. Not only do British farmers grow and produce much of the food we eat, they are also custodians of the land and protectors of wildlife, from insects to birds.

For many farmers, conservation has become a key part of their way of life. In England alone, farmers have registered nearly a third of their agricultural land (4.1 million hectares) under a conservation agreement, with similar progress being made in Wales.

Modern farming techniques used in Britain today are helping to offset the environmental damage caused by today’s urban society. By nurturing wildlife and protecting water, soil and air quality, farming is ensuring the continuity of supply of wholesome food while conserving and enhancing the fabric and wildlife of the countryside.

To find out more about why farming matters visit Hampden Bottom Farm on Open Farm Sunday – 10 June 2007 or visit www.farmsunday.org.

Ends

Notes for Editors:

1. Visitors should make contact with Ian Waller before arriving: Hampden Bottom Farm, Rignall Road, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 9PT Contact Name: Ian Waller ,Phone: 01494 488567 ,E-Mail: ian@hbf-uk.com

2. Natural England works for people, places and nature, to enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public well-being, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed so that they can be enjoyed now and in the future. www.naturalengland.org.uk

3. LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is a national charity that helps farmers to care for the environment and the wildlife that it sustains.

• An increasing number of farmers are signing up to the LEAF scheme which integrates modern farming know-how with conservation.
• Food carrying the LEAF marquee logo indicates that it has been grown by farmers who are committed to looking after the countryside and the environment.
• Open Farm Sunday on 10 June provides a great opportunity for the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at life on a farm and the nature it sustains
• The Event is organized by LEAF and hundreds of farmers are taking part by inviting the public to visit their farm where there will be nature trails, talks, tastings and demonstrations.
• Visitors will be able learn how farmers are encouraging natural plant species to thrive alongside crops and can get a close up look at farm animals and wildlife.
• Open Farm Sunday is sponsored by: Home-Grown Cereals Authority, National Farmers’ Union, Natural England, Regatta Clothing, Wiggly Wigglers, Country Living, Farmers Weekly, McDonalds, SEEDA and Framework for Change
• Open Farm Sunday is also supported by thinkvegetables.co.uk, the RSPB, YARA, Think Farming and Food, Fair Trade for British Farmers, Produce World, CLA, Shepherd Neame Master Brewers, Chamberlain, EEDA and the Government Office for the East Midlands
• For details on participating farms and activities visit www.farmsunday.org.or call 02476 413911.
• www.leafuk.org

4. Environmental Stewardship is a new agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land. Environmental stewardship has three elements:

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS)
• Open to all farmers and landowners
• Simple and effective land management.
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship
• Organic strand of ELS
• Open to all farmers not receiving Organic Farming Scheme aid
• Higher Level Stewardship
• Targeted environmental management.
• Capital work plans
• www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es