From farmyard to the fork...
Joe Stanley is a farmer who lives in Loughborough, farms on the edge of Charnwood Forest and works with the Allerton Project in Loddington who’s released a book on his experience of sustainable farming in the 21C I think is of interest. Susan Newcombe tak
FOOD insecurity is high in the news and in a country that is only 61 per cent self–sufficient where does he future lie for both the farming industry and the consumer?
Farm to Fork by Joe Stanley (Quiller) is an impassioned look at British farming from the author’s experience as a local farmer on the edge of Charnwood Forest at a time of food restrictions from extreme heat in Spain and cold, overcast weather delaying the growing season in the U.K.
Comprehensive to the professional as well as the interested layperson, Stanley takes the reader on the annual journey of his conventional lowland mixed arable and livestock farm throughout the seasons laying bare the trials and tribulations of an industry where one in four lives in poverty yet continues to provide the third cheapest food in the world.
An advocate of the Red Tractor logo Stanley said when we’re shopping for food the rules and standards it applies to British farmers ensure we can trust the food we eat and covers all the areas we care about - animal welfare, food safety, traceability and environmental protection.
“On welfare, among many factors, the inspector checks my cattle have sufficient space to relax and express themselves naturally, and that all possible measures are taken to reduce the risk of sickness and disease. On food safety, strict rules are established for the use of medicines in animals, and the UK is a world leader in reducing the use of farm antibiotics – by 40% since 2013 alone,” said Joe.
“Every one of my cattle – and every load of my grain – can be traced from farm to fork, while the UK has some of the strongest environmental protection laws,” he added.
How the British public’s appetite for cheap food is sated is detailed and what this means not only for farmers but for the environment. Stanley is a committed advocate of sustainability and reveals an industry not only proud of its world – leading quality produce but also a staunch defender of our natural world.
Splitting his time between his farm and the Allerton project on the border with Rutland researching the effect of farming on wildlife and ecology, Joe, who lives in Loughborough looks outside the prism of localism to the wider ecological implications of feeding a world with finite natural resources and a population expected to hit ten billion by 2050.
President of the National Farmers Union Minette Batters said Joe Stanley opens the door to a wonderful personal account of life on a lowland family farm.
“The book is one of hope and optimism, recognising the modern – day challenges farmers face,” said Ms Batters.
“The foundation for success both here and across the world must be sustainable food production.”
“The most important agricultural revolution to date is about to happen and it’s farmers like Joe that offer the sustainable solution to all of our everyday lives,” she added.