Farmer chair in BBO
26th February 2010
A commercial arable farmer is helping to drive forward a three-year initiative encouraging farmers to enhance the environment across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Award-winning LEAF demonstration farmer*2 Ian Waller of Great Missenden is the new chairman of the partnership group behind the Campaign for the Farmed in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Mr Waller, of Hampden Bottom Farm, is a tenant farmer with 1800 acres of arable crops. He has taken steps to help wildlife on his own farm through the green farming scheme known as Higher Level Stewardship and has an additional 150 acres of land in the scheme.
He says: "My hope is that all farmers will embrace the challenge presented by the Campaign for the Farmed Environment. Every year there is a new challenge, whether it is growing a crop or meeting an expectation. If all farmers back this Campaign, then hopefully a future government can be dissuaded from introducing greater regulation."
Mr Waller is working closely with Berks, Bucks & Oxon CFE coordinator Laura Francis who is organising activities at grassroots level to help farmers grasp the opportunities presented by the Campaign.
The official launch of the Campaign in the three counties will take place at Phillimore Farms, Dunsden Green near Reading in Berkshire on March 25. A network of 'beacon' farms is also being developed to demonstrate measures on a practical level.
The launch event will feature talks and a farm tour, followed by a lunch of local produce. It is free to attend, but farmers must book their place with Laura Francis on: 07707 352458.
