Discover farmers’ stories in the South Downs this summer
June 8, 2018
Visitors to the South Downs National Park will get a unique insight into the lives of six local farmers this summer thanks to an innovative trail of ‘watching & listening posts’ linked to short films about their work. The films will be previewed at Lee Farm Open Day on Sunday 24 June.
Twelve posts will be placed on public rights of way between the Arun and Adur rivers. Simply holding a phone (with NFC function switched on) over a picture on the post will reveal the film introducing the person responsible for caring for and working on that stretch of land.
The films, supported by the South Downs National Park Authority, are the brainchild of 24 local farmers working together as the Arun to Adur Farm Cluster. Nature doesn’t recognise farm boundaries so together the farmers are supporting endangered birds such as the lapwing, grey partridge and skylark. The area is also a focus for bringing the very rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly back from the brink of extinction.
Dominic Gardner, who farms at Lee Farm in Angmering, said:
“We want to introduce ourselves to the people who enjoy spending time here and end the perception that farmers are old-fashioned or unapproachable. I grew up in a town, am up for a chat if you’re passing and use technology such as GPS to support precision farming on land that’s been owned by the same family for generations.
“Being a farmer makes you very aware that we’re only here for a short time but what we do can have a massive impact. I want to run a business producing great, healthy food and helping wildlife to thrive but we can only do this if people support us.”
Bruce Fowkes, Farming Officer for the South Downs National Park Authority, said:
“More than ever we need people to appreciate the value of the work farmers do in the National Park. The mosaic of fields and hedgerows you see in the South Downs’ landscapes draw in millions of people every year – but how many think about the work that goes into caring for them and the wildlife that lives here.
“It’s great to see our farmers working together and coming up with innovative ideas to tell the story of their work.”
Lee Farm Open Sunday is a day for young and old, to meet farmers and discover the work they do producing our food, enhancing the countryside and all the goods and services farmers provide. Find out more