Volunteers set up local advice group for farmers (From Gazette & Herald)

Volunteers set up local advice group for farmers

2:38pm Wednesday 21st December 2011 in Farming news

FARMERS and wildlife experts have joined together to ensure farmers in Ryedale continue to get good advice.

Advisors and volunteers formerly involved with the national body Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) have formed a new group based in Yorkshire.

It means that the work Northallertonbased FWAG has organised in the county for more than a quarter of a century will continue under the title of Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife.

The Yorkshire group has been overwhelmed by the widespread support and appreciation for their work from both the farming community and from wildlife and farming organisations.

Led by former North Yorkshire FWAG chairman Nick Ramsden, who farms at Myton-on-Swale, Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife, a new not-for-profit organisation, will be supported by the volunteers on the former county FWAG committees.

The new group will be launching a programme of events and educational activities in the New Year, supported by a membership scheme.

He said: “We are all farmers who are also wildlife enthusiasts. We believe we will have a key role in sharing ideas and skills both between farmers and among others interested in sustainable rural life.

“Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife will enthuse farmers about wildlife conservation and caring for the environment, exchanging information within a programme of enjoyable social activities. We all want our farms to be the best possible environment and rich in the wildlife we so much enjoy seeing.”

Former FWAG advisers Phil Lyth, Karen Stanley, Ann Hanson and Claire Foster will continue to provide advice on a commercial basis to farmers as a new Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership, as well as supporting the new farmer-led voluntary organisation.

Between them they have more than 43 years’ experience giving professional advice to Yorkshire farmers on environmental matters.

Mr Lyth, who joined FWAG in Yorkshire in 1986, said: “We believe that farmers need good-quality, independent environmental advice now more than ever, and we are determined to continue to deliver that in Yorkshire. Between us we have a wide range of professional expertise from Environmental Stewardship Schemes, woodland and pond design and wildlife surveys, to advice on manure and nutrient management from FACTS qualified specialists.”

Paddy Dent of Ribston Farms, who farms 1,700 acres near Wetherby, is just one of the many farmers who have been long-term recipients of FWAG guidance.

Mr Dent said: “The advice I have received from FWAG over the past 20 years on my farm has been invaluable to the business.

“I intend to use the new Farming and Wildlife Partnership to ensure that we stay up-to-date with environmental schemes and regulations in the future, and I would encourage other farmers to do the same.”

Details of the new partnership can be found at farmingandwildlife.net