Events ask: ‘Exactly what can hedgerows do for your farm?’
FARMERS from across Wales have been flocking to open farm events that aim to answer the question, “what can hedgerows do for you and your farm?”
It’s all part of the Long Forest project which aim is to deliver practical action to protect and improve our amazing hedgerows. It’s a partnership between Keep Wales Tidy and Coed Cadw (Woodland Trust), with support from the National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The open farm events are being delivered by Farming Connect, an organisation that obviously has strong links with the farming community.
Open days have already taken place in Carmarthenshire and at Llysfasi near Ruthin and Glynllifon near Caernarfon. The final one takes place on January 31 near Wenvoe in the Vale of Glamorgan, and farmers entitled to attend Farming Connect events can still register to attend, for free.
The Carmarthenshire event took place at Plas y Cerdin, a small livestock farm, which is a Farming Connect Focus Farm within the organisation’s demonstration network. It has an organic Jersey milking herd, sheep and woodland which is managed to produce charcoal in a traditional way. Michael Houlden, who farms the land, said: “Too often hedgerows are a wasted resource. We need to do more with them and use them better. They provide shelter for livestock, biosecure stock boundaries and conservation benefits in the form of habitats.
“We had 20 people at the open day, with lots of positive energy. We particularly looked at the benefits of hedgerows, and hedge-laying techniques, coppicing and gapping up hedgerows, and also the NRW regulations on felling licences. Sharing ideas and stimulating conversation has to be a good thing.“
In addition to hosting this open day, Mr Houlden has been involved in a management exchange, going to Normandy to see how hedgerows are used there, producing wood chip for use in biomass heating in schools and at town halls.
He has also made use of landowner shelterbelt packs, available at a subsidised price from the Woodland Trust through their online shop.
The open farm event on Thursday, January 31 takes place at Goldsland Farm near Wenvoe in the Vale or Glamorgan. Lunch is provided but advance booking is essential, by emailing geraint. jones@menterabusnes.co.uk or phoning 07398 178698.