GWCT News Blog

Open Farm Sunday has been taking place in June every year since 2006, and this year the GWCT took part in several events across the country. The day provides an opportunity for farmers to share their fabulous work with all ages, by opening their farms to the general public, and showcasing the many goods and services they provide.

Check out the latest line-up of Summer events at the GWCT Allerton Project. 

The Common Earthworm is the posterchild for UK earthworms due to its impressive size and longevity, living for an average of 4-8 years and growing up to an enormous 35cm when mature. It recently wiggled its way to a landslide victory in The Guardian’s inaugural invertebrate of the year award, cementing its place (for this year at least) as the UK’s favourite spineless creature. 

Our Director of Policy and the Allerton Project, Dr Alastair Leake, shares his thoughts on the latest domestic hedgerow regulations.

Many parts of the English rolling landscape are criss-crossed by hedgerows, which if one stops and looks provide an interesting perspective on the history of the landscape being observed.

Whilst there was much to be positive about in the recent announcement by the Defra Secretary of State on the 2024 SFI offer in terms of its support for farming, we are disappointed that the opportunity was not taken to include measures in the ELMS to reduce predation pressure to facilitate species recovery.

The GWCT is delighted that the headline of the EFRA report following its soil health inquiry is that government should take soil health as seriously as it does our other critical assets of water and air.

‘Regenerative’ agriculture is seen by some as perhaps only the latest buzzword in a long line of farming systems: organic; conventional; conservation; sustainable intensification; agroecological.

Using the term ‘killing’ rather than ‘management’ would not be my choice when discussing the merits of removing one species to protect another. But I chose it here as it refers to the headings of two recent articles in the Guardian that demonstrate the value of control. Both epitomise the challenge that conservation has in addressing public values and attitudes towards the management of pests, invasive species and native predators.

In a world grappling with the urgent need to combat climate change, the agricultural sector is stepping up to the challenge with innovative ideas and collaborative efforts. One example of this is the Climate Neutral Farms project.