Author: Neve Bray. Introduction The Kingfisher Award Scheme (KAS) has been running in Dorset for three years. In 2024, it was hosted by the generous Tory family at Charisworth Farm. The Torys have beef cattle, arable crops and grassland. The field days took place in May and consisted of three activities focussed on the theme […]
Providing learning opportunities for children in Dorset Read More »
Introduction The Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF) is funded by DEFRA and provides general business advice to farmers and landowners. If the farm has received direct support payments since October 2022, they can get this expert support free of charge. This support is offered through group workshops, webinars, tours, farm visits and one-to-one advice to
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Author: Joanna Uglow. If you asked someone to describe a dung beetle, they would probably paint a picture of a shiny black beetle rolling a ball of dung across a desert. While this type, known as rollers, are common in warmer climates of the southern hemisphere, we have dwellers, tunnellers and stealers making up
Author: Joanna Uglow. Earthworms play an essential role in soil health and productivity, but many agricultural soils have become degraded and have very small populations. Earthworms provide benefits in the following ways: Better and more stable soil structure Create burrows which aerate the soil and allow water to infiltrate Worm casts are crumb-like and contribute
To win this prestigious and longstanding award, a farm has to demonstrate a real commitment to species and habitat conservation and be able to show how they integrate their environmental management in their overall farm business. Understanding and conserving historic aspects of the farm is also important. In addition, consideration is given to the farm’s
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The Barn Owl Award is FWAG SouthWest’s regional award for farming and conservation. It celebrates those who go above and beyond to provide space for wildlife whilst managing sustainable farming enterprises. In early June, our two judges, Gary Rumbold and Ruth Kimber, set off to judge the 5 entrants for this year’s competition. Sadly our
2024 Barn Owl Award – the judges journey and results… Read More »
In August our team of Somerset judges, Ben Thorne, Zara Blackmore and John Gilbert, set out on our Somerset Otter Awards judging tour of three finalists. Read on to find out more about each of the farms and the judge’s decision as to who they crowned winners for 2024. Dillington Estate- Ilminster Dillington Estate have
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Author: Neve Bray. The Young Explorers Project ran from April 2023 until December 2024. FWAG South West were asked to facilitate the Young Explorers Project on behalf of Dorset National Landscape (DNL). The development of this project derives from DNL-led research which found that young people’s priorities in ‘accessing’ the Dorset National Landscape are: public
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We always welcome contact from like-minded individuals looking for a career in working with farmers and landowners to promote and enhance the conservation of wildlife and the environment. Currently we have no vacancies at FWAG South West. Please check back soon or follow us on LinkedIn
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Dorset Wild Rivers is a Wessex Water funded partnership project. It focuses on Dorset’s priority rivers and aims to achieve the restoration of over 5km of river habitat and seven new wetland enhancement schemes. The project aims to engage with farmers in specific catchments to share knowledge and bring about lasting benefits to the ecology
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