The Human Imprint

Rural communities disadvantaged by rising energy costs

The Telegraph reports that last year, there were 25,700 'excess winter fuel deaths' - people who died from pneumonia or other preventable illnesses caused by the cold. The Commission for Rural Communities argue that many rural communities will not qualify for recent fuel poverty initiatives. Many rural houses do not have cavity walls and can only use oil to heat their homes because mains gas is inaccessible. This reduces their flexibility in terms of improving energy efficiency or switching between heating fuels.

Wet harvest

Well it has been one of the wettest harvests in the UK for 40 years. As of the 7th September only  around 15 per cent of the wheat crop has been harvested. This compares with over half of the crop at this time last year (bear in mind that last year was pretty wet too). The Telegraph reports that farmers will technically be breaking the law and facing a fine if they   harvest their fields when it is wet. This is due to the cross-compliance requirements for maintaining soil quality.

The floods then followed many parts of the UK last weekend. The town of Upton was virtually cut off (see photo) and Morpeth in the north of England was seriously flooded. In fact there was 227 serious flood warnings. The Guardian carried a further update today - not good news.

What is farming?

I am at a two day conference in Lower Saxony Germany discussing Integrated Farm Management and the work being undertaken throughout Europe. It has got me thinking: "What is farming?" - so here are two definitions:

Farming : the tillage or use of the soil to raise food for man or beast, the raising of tobacco, or the propagation and growing of trees, shrubs, vines and plants for transporting and sale.

Farming means the cultivation of land for the production of agricultural crops, the raising of poultry, the production of eggs, the production of milk, the production of fruit or other horticultural crops, grazing or the production of livestock. Farming does not include the production of timber, forest products, nursery products or sod, and farming does not include a contract to provide spraying, harvesting or other farm services.

or:
Agriculture:  The art and science of crop and livestock production. In its broadest sense, agriculture comprises the entire range of technologies associated with the production of useful products from plants and animals, including soil cultivation, crop and livestock management, and the activities of processing and marketing.

Farming for tax purposes in the UK means "the occupation of land in the United Kingdom wholly or mainly for the purposes of husbandry". Husbandry implies the growing of crops and the raising of farm livestock.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been defined as "The set of policy principles, regulations and subsidy mechanisms adopted by the Member States of the European Community that consolidates efforts in promoting or ensuring reasonable pricing of food products, fair standards of living for farmers, stable agricultural markets, increased farm productivity and methods for dealing with food supply or surplus".

There is no mention in these definitions of the provision of implementing environmental practice, environmental services or benefits of being custodians of the country side on behalf of the general public. So what is agriculture .. I thought I knew but my definition was slightly different. I will muse further.

Beavers born in the UK for the first time in 400 years

The Telegraph reports that 12 kit beaver have been born for the first time in 400 years in the UK in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

Facilitating rural business

Last year I wrote a post about Business mentoring and asked the questions:

Who are the mentors for the agricultural industry?

Where can young or not so young people in the industry find independent and appropriate advice and support?

One year later I am still asking myself those questions. If you are a young farmer going into the industry where can you access knowledge and experience to stop you “re-inventing” the wheel? I have always been an advocate of The Princes Trust and how they help young people starting out with a business, hoping to develop a community project or just seeking to get back into work. Maybe they could have a role?

 The Fresh Start Initiative that aims to offer assistance to those developing new farming businesses and is a college based scheme. and has moved a long way in twelve months. However, I feel that we also need to have a network of facilitators that can help to set up farming discussion groups/continuous learning groups. These groups would be practical, informal, hands-on and self-driven. Discussion groups are springing up in all regions of the country, but it would be good to have a network of people that can help start the groups and work with them to set the foundations. Perhaps Defra would provide initial funding for such a project?

Bird flu in Hong Kong leads to chicken culls

Market Watch have carried another story on avian influenza. They report that Hong Kong health authorities have ordered the slaughter of 2,700 suspect birds and banned live poultry imports from mainland China for up to three weeks. A routine inspection found that chickens in one of the city's poultry markets were infected with H5N1 avian influenza.

Open Farm Sunday

We had a great day yesterday when we opened the farm for Open Farm Sunday - follow the link to find out more.

Open Farm Sunday

We are busy getting ready for Open Farm Sunday tomorrow. Open Farm Sunday is when farms open their gates to the general public to explain what they do. Last year 400 farms opened all over the UK to explain what farming is all about, how crops are grown and the range of food that is produced from in our case wheat, oil seed rape (canola) and potatoes.

We are having a farm walk followed by a cup of tea and refreshments and have invited the local community to come along. We won't know how many are coming to until the day and I guess it will be fairly weather dependent.

I will let you know how we get on with some pictures.

Rollo May said about communication that "Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing." I really like that thought!

Churches under threat

Our parish church is the only community space left in our parish. We don't have a pub or a post office so we have been looking at ways of utilising the building in innovative ways, exhibitions etc. Sir Roy Strong, too, is arguing that we need to adapt our churches for a wider range of uses. The Telegraph published an article. His comments are thought provoking! Statistics suggest we could lose one fifth of our churches in one generation. The Telegraph outlines the issues as follows:

"The threat is clear:

• Two churches are being closed down every week

• At least £1 billion is needed to repair all listed places of worship over the next five years

• Yet the Government spends just £25 million a year on repairs – far less than the £200 million needed

• Churches claim that local authorities discriminate against church-based community projects, reducing income still further

• Planned EU changes to VAT rules for repairs could see churches having to find another £10 million every year."

This is a cause for concern as they provide such heritage and also the space for a community to meet, provide mutual support and share their lives.

Over 3000 post offices may close

Back in March I wrote about the crisis affecting post offices. The Telegraph has recently reported that up to 3000 post offices could close if they lose the contract to handle pension and benefit payments. There is also the potential that Saturday deliveries will be stopped. This could be on top of the 2,500 currently under threat. This will have a significant impact on local communities. Follow the link to find out more.