The landscapes of the Wye are synonymous with farming. Farming that has adapted and evolved as a result of innovation, government policy, global politics, the economy and many other drivers over the years. Now climate and changing weather patterns are driving rapid change too, those farming in the floodplain are at the front line.
Farming in the floodplain has become increasingly high risk; volatile markets, cost of production combined with the increasing likelihood of crop loss due to flood inundation. The Landscape Recovery scheme provides an opportunity to develop and secure alternative business models and income streams that would help businesses capitalise the natural assets on their land. The more these assets are protected and enhanced the higher their potential value.
DEFRA’s Landscape Recovery scheme presents an entirely new way of working; putting landowners in the driving seat to design bespoke and ambitious stewardship schemes that use a blend of government and private funding to enable long term changes to land management.
Herefordshire Rural Hub host the Farm Herefordshire partnership and have been proposed to be the lead organisation for this LR bid for Herefordshire. We are working collaboratively through the Farm Herefordshire partnership with organisations including the Wye Valley AONB, Herefordshire Meadows, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Wye & Usk Foundation, and for this project the National Trust and the Duchy of Cornwall.
We are bringing together the network of floodplain land managers of the Wye and the Lugg to create an enhanced floodplain corridor from Leominster to Hereford to Ross, supporting the recovery of these protected rivers and enabling adaptation of the farm businesses that shape our landscape. Participating farmers decide what and where is proposed for their land.
The application is due to be submitted by 21st September and we have 30+ holdings covering >1500ha of the floodplain already interested in being involved. If you farm in the floodplain and would like to find out more please contact Kate (director@herefordshireruralhub.co.uk) or the usual adviser from any of the Farm Herefordshire partnership organisations.
