Perception of farming sector has to change
Determined to help change the public perception of farming, Simon and Grania Phillips will be welcoming visitors to their Devon farm as part of this year’s Open Farm Sunday. Rebecca Dawes finds out more
ADESIRE to support the next generation in agriculture drives the ambition of the once first-time farmers Simon and Grania Phillips.
Their 600-acre unit at Colleton Manor near Chulmleigh in Devon is predominately grass for their 200 Red Ruby Devon Beef cattle and a small flock of Wiltshire Horn sheep, with 100 acres of woodlands.
Both from a non-farming background, the Phillips family moved to Devon just over 30 years ago, after living and working in London. The combination of wanting to bring up their child in the countryside and their interest in farming found them searching for a commercial livestock farm.
Since entering the industry, they have been concerned about the misconceptions of farming, and have actively participated in events to share their own farming story and help encourage young people to consider a career in agriculture. They often attend Farmwise, an event for primary school children at Westpoint in Exeter with their cattle, and regularly hold “Farmer Time” - a video call with a school class to share what is happening on the farm that day.
The family also participate in LEAF Open Farm Sunday - farming’s annual open day - that takes place in June, when farmers across Britain open their gates to the public. Grania feels this year, with the public’s growing consciousness around the environment and sustainability, it is even more important for the industry to get behind the initiative.
“There is a real lack of understanding about where our food comes from, and what we actually do on farm. I think the public has all sorts of misconceptions fed to them by the media, particularly about carbon with the focus on cattle and methane. This is really to do with the large feedlots in other countries, not what we do here in the UK, so I really think this needs counteracting.
“Science is a massive part of this, and by taking part in LEAF Open Farm Sunday we can start to change perception. Grass is a fantastic carbon sink, but the general public don’t understand what that means or how it can help with methane emissions. We take our visitors on a farm walk to see our mixed herbal legume leys and discuss why we ensure clover is in the mix for soil health and nutrition, and when we feel it is time to renew the grass, we bring in peas and barley into the rotation, under sown with grass. As we don’t feed our cattle any bought in cattle cake, the peas and barley is whole cropped and fed to the youngsters as silage in the winter months to give them a bit of extra protein.”
National organisers, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) are encouraging LOFS host farmers to talk about health on the farm with visitors - from soil, crop and livestock health, through to a healthy environment and the food we eat.
Colleton Manor will be demonstrating the work they do to preserve and maintain their soil, operating as a pasture-rich farm.
Grania adds: “We’ve heavy clay soil here which produces really strong grass so we wanted to select a native cattle breed that wouldn’t be too heavy and poach the ground and would thrive on a grass-based diet. We are also moving towards direct drilling, reducing the soil compaction. As part of our event, we will be talking about the importance of livestock in rotation and how different machinery and methods can make a significant difference.”
Nature will be another focus of their day, and how commercial farming can run alongside natural conservation of birds and wildlife. Their easy-care sheep naturally shed their wool, leaving it on the grass for birds and other animals to pick up and line their habitats. This is just one example that Grania and Simon will be explaining.
“It is so important we talk to the public about farming and our experience. We are just over an hour from the north coast of Devon where it is quite urban, and then more locally we have a very rural community. The lack of understanding about our sector is from both urban and rural visitors. We need to provide a balanced discussion, allowing visitors to make their own decisions based on what they have seen and heard after visiting a farm, and asking their own questions,” Grania continues.
“We welcome placement students from Duchy and Bicton College, many of whom are not from a farming background. They are open minded and bring their own ideas about how we innovate and progress the farm. Our most recent student, Tom Evans, is now a full-time employee with us and very much runs the farming side. His first experience with cattle was during his placement so he brings a really fresh perspective to farming.”
Organisers of the initiative are calling on more farmers to take part, and Grania feels it is the perfect opportunity to encourage the next generation.
“LEAF Open Farm Sunday gives us that platform to talk to individuals, like Tom, who have not grown up in the sector but have so much to contribute, they perhaps just don’t realise farming could be for them. What better way to demonstrate our industry than by allowing them to see it firsthand.”
LEAF Open Farm Sunday takes place on Sunday, June 12. Farmers can also host events the weekend before or after, and you don’t need to be a LEAF member. It is free to take part. Register at www.farmsunday. org