Farming and the Rivers
The Farming and the Rivers project worked with farmers and the wider community in an effort to enhance knowledge and understanding of many farming and environmental issues. These included:
- Raising the awareness of the wildlife and landscape value of the rivers in the LEADER+ area
- Assisting farmers to farm in an environmentally sensitive way to enhance the quality and biodiversity of the Herefordshire rivers and bank-sides
- Helping the community understand more about the farming and wildlife issues of the river
- Enhancing farmers skills in habitat management
- Demonstrating opportunities for work in conservation
- Giving intellectual access to farming and conservation by gaining knowledge through the written medium
The project team achieved these aims through farm walks and discussion evenings, directed at communities local to the theme of the event and the Parish (although they are open to all) and farmers. Other, more specific, provisions were made in the effort of enhancing knowledge.
Free farm visits and whole farm plans werer offered to farmers and landowners in the LEADER+ area. These were conducted by FWAG Farm Conservation Advisors, of which there are three. A detailed report of the farm highlighted areas of wildlife habitat, giving suggestions on protection and enhancement of these habitats, even including advice on pollution prevention and compliance with statutory environmental legislation.
Free habitat management training was aimed at farmers and landowners, which included practical training with supporting literature. Information was also provided to local communities about work opportunities in the environmental field, and there was access to the FWAG website.
About FWAG
The Herefordshire Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) is part of a national organisation. FWAG is a farmer-led organisation, which provides professional farm conservation advice on all agri-environment issues through its team of Farm Conservation Advisers.
FWAG advises on all sizes of farms and smallholdings, from just a few acres to the largest estates. Advice is wide ranging and covers the whole farm - hedgerow management and restoration, pond and orchard management, field margins, wild bird cover, watercourse and stream management, farm waste management, nutrient advice, soil management and information on grants are just some of the subjects that will be covered on a farm visit.
The committee of Herefordshire FWAG is made up of farmers and landowners. FWAG is a membership organisation with regular events, walks, training and talks. A newsletter is also produced three times a year.
Herefordshire FWAG contacts Job Role Name Telephone Fax Email
Development Officer: Margot Porter (01597) 829298 margot.porter@fwag.org.uk
Farm Conservation Advisers: Mike Williams (01544) 318716 (01544) 318716 mike.williams@fwag.org.uk
Janet Lomas (01684) 578857 (01684) 578857 janet.lomas@fwag.org.uk
Caroline Hanks (01981) 251016 (01981) 251016 caroline.hanks@fwag.org.uk
National FWAG website: www.fwag.org.uk