Natural England

The Terry family of Upper Hollowfields Farm, Hanbury, have beaten tough competition to secure the top spot in the regional round of Natural England’s ‘Future of Farming’ awards 2008.

Michael, Janette and Jo Terry’s farm was chosen as the winner, due to their hard work and determination over a number of years. The Terrys have demonstrated effective and sympathetic land management on their farm resulting in great benefits for many species found on their farm – they have even created a wildflower meadow using an unusual method of spreading seeds collected from a local Site of Special Scientific interest.

The farm is now home to many species as a result of their farm management including lapwing, curlew, skylark, lesser spotted woodpecker, yellowhammer and the brown hairstreak butterfly. The family are also keen to show off the wildlife and farm’s historic features, which include traditional ridge and furrow fields, site of a roman road and traditional orchards through the ‘educational access’ element of their Higher Level Stewardship scheme. This access encourages groups of the public to learn about the environment and have the opportunity to experience the farm in a hands on way.

On winning the award, the Terrys said:
“To win this award was totally unexpected - we will be celebrating! The benefits of stewardship have been terrific for conservation on the farm. We have been lucky to work with so many people who are passionate about wildlife.”

Roger Owen, Regional Operations Manager of Natural England, who chaired the judging panel, said:
"The Terry’s enthusiastic approach and great sense of pride in their achievements was clear to see. Their innovative approach in providing access to and interpretation of their farm to such a diverse range of people from walking groups, local schools, photographers and artists as well as the work undertaken with nature conservation groups was hugely impressive.

This, combined with the excellent land management techniques displayed in relation to the maintenance of hedgerows, grassland, the historic environment and the restoration of orchards, clearly showed that they had an understanding of effective land management, combined with empathy for habitat and species needs. The winning farm also showed how an effective Higher Level Stewardship scheme can be deployed to benefit nature whilst working alongside a productive farm."

The Terrys will now go forward to the next round of judging which will decide the national winner of the ‘Future of Farming awards 2008.

Two other Worcestershire farms were the runners up in this year’s regional round of the award: John and Linda Iles, of Uncllys Farm, Bewdley were commended for their management of a traditional orchard and wood pasture SSSI, their work in the Wyre Forest area to encourage nature conservation and sustainable practices (including the initiation of the Wyre Community Land Trust) and their encouragement of the local community to share their farm and help out with the management of it.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Lower Smite Farm, Hindlip, was also a runner up. Their farm manager Caroline Corsie was commended for the farm’s approach to protect and increase rare arable plants and a range of other wildlife on the land. The panel was also impressed by their efforts towards education and public access, and their sustainable practices such as the use of geothermal energy and rainwater harvesting.

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Notes for editors

1. The criteria used for judging this year’s award reflects Natural England’s integrated approach to management of the natural environment. The regional finalists were chosen because they demonstrate:

• Innovative land management practices that boost biodiversity, public access opportunities and landscape conservation.
• A good understanding of the economic, social and environmental opportunities that biodiversity, public access and landscape conservation brings.
• Pioneering management of the natural environment in one of access, biodiversity or landscape that sets a new standard for the future.

2. Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is a Government-funded scheme, managed by Natural England, and open to all farmers. The Scheme funds the delivery of environmental benefits through agriculture and aims to conserve wildlife, maintain and enhance our landscape quality and character, protect our natural resources, and promote public access to the countryside.

It is composed of three tiers:-

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

Environmental Stewardship is the latest phase of 21 years of agri-environment schemes which have brought real benefit to the countryside.

These schemes have:

• Delivered 5 million hectares across England under Environmental Stewardship agreements
• Restored more than 17,000 kilometres of hedgerow
• Created more than 4,800 kilometres of footpaths, and 2,400 kilometres of cycle paths and bridleways
• Assisted recovery of a range of species including the stone curlew, bittern, twite, cirl bunting, and chough
• And we are on target to bring 95% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest into favourable condition by 2010.

3. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Contact info:
For more information, interviews and photographs please call Natural England West Midlands regional press office on 01905 362952 or contact Land Management Adviser Danielle Newman on 01905 363468

Natural England’s responsibilities for the conservation, protection and enhancement of the natural environment mean that we have an intense and legitimate interest in the way that flood risk is managed.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings www.naturalengland.org.uk

For further information contact: Dean Gallen
Telephone: 01905 362987
Email: Dean.g.gallen@naturalengland.org.uk

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk