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Refresh!FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Herefordshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group have undertaken their second LEADER+ project concerning farmers and their specific training needs.
Begun in November 2005, this project maintains a focus on the environmental issues of farming and land management. The project’s aims are:
· To raise awareness of farming and environmental issues so that uptake of new agri-environment schemes is high in the LEADER+ parishes
· To provide advice, information and guidance to Herefordshire farmers on the Environmental Stewardship Schemes – Entry Level (ELS) and Higher Level (HLS)
· To provide advice to encourage uptake of options within the new schemes, which will deliver maximum environmental benefits
This project is providing important information on the new Environmental Stewardship scheme, which replaced the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in 2005. FWAG advisers will advise farmers how they can use the new scheme to make changes in their farming practices which will benefit the environment, particularly the SSSI rivers, the Wye and the Lugg. The options under the scheme cover: management for wildlife; the historic environment; landscape; public access; resource management (for example, soil and water).
All farmers who are in LEADER+ parishes are eligible. The project specifically aims to give advice and help to farmers who need help deciding on the options for their farm and filling in the application forms.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is hoping that 70% of farmers will take up the Entry Level Scheme. This project, by raising farmers’ awareness of the scheme and encouraging them to enter, will make a significant contribution towards the target level in the county being reached. This, in turn, will benefit the environment, ensuring a healthy future for the Herefordshire countryside and its wildlife.
In the effort of helping farmers and raising the general awareness of the public, the project will consist of:
- Events to launch and regularly promote the full range of project details
- Workshops on the ELS and HLS for farmers, land managers and Young Farmers groups
- Advisory visits to farms
- Telephone support and advice to farmers on these new schemes
Margot Porter
Tel: (01597) 829298
Email: margot.porter@fwag.org.uk
Website: www.fwag.org.uk.
