Environmentally sound farming

A farmer in Buckinghamshire is taking the initiative to educate other farmers about the value of environmentally sound farming.

Ian Waller of Hampden Bottom, who has recently joined the Environmental Stewardship (ES) scheme decided a good way of telling his peers about the benefits of the scheme was to organise informal tours of his land.

The first walk, which took place last month, was so popular with the 30 farmers who attended that Mr Waller is planning another one in the near future, to talk about issues surrounding waste management.

Four agricultural experts joined the walk; from the Rural Development Service, LEAF, Chiltern Conservation Board and an independent agronomist. Mingling with the group, farmers were able to approach them with their problems and concerns and question them about details of environmental schemes.

Mr Waller said: "Farmers are practical people, they want to be able to take a hands-on approach to environmental issues. They're not always so good at standing up and asking questions - the idea of these walks is to provide an informal atmosphere where farmers feel comfortable coming forward to speak.

"I took them round the farm and showed them some Entry and Higher Level Stewardship options, it switched them on, got them thinking and broke down some preconceptions. The feedback was really good. Farmers are always going to be more receptive to this information when it comes from their peers."

Vicky Robinson, an adviser for the Rural Development Service in the South East who was on the walk, said: "It's fantastic that people like Ian Waller are taking the initiative to promote Environmental Stewardship. It's so worthwhile to have an open, farmer to farmer dialogue - where people feel free to air their thoughts. It is also a great opportunity for people to see how Environmental Stewardship works on the ground."