Our Education Officer Louise on the Farming Focus podcast
Louise Wallace has worked for FWAG SW as our Education Officer for 10 years. Her main role is to coordinate the Kingfisher Award Scheme in
Resource Library
Recent case studies, resources and information
Our Living Landscape: Grassland
On this page you will find your Grassland resources. The Grassland Introduction video below will get you started. Click on the documents below each video
Our Living Landscape: Hedgerows
On this page you will find your Hedgerows resources. The Hedgerows Introduction video below will get you started. Click on the documents below each video
Our Living Landscape: Soil
On this page you will find your Soil resources. The Soil Introduction video below will get you started. Click on the documents below each video
Soil is amazing!!
Author: Kate Harris (Communications Officer) & Jacky Cherry (Cornwall KAS Coordinator) Target Audience: Schools, public, farmers, funders. Introduction The Cornwall Kingfisher Award Scheme (KAS) began
Kingfisher Award Scheme, Gloucestershire 2025
Author: Bea Oliver. Summary In May, farmer Henry-James Gay welcomed four school groups to his farm near Tetbury to learn about nutrient cycles on his
Providing learning opportunities for children in Dorset
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
The Young Explorers Project: working with young people and farmers
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
FWAG SW Strategy 2026 – 2031
We are at a crossroads: climate change, shifting policies, global instability and market pressures demand new thinking and bold action. Atmospheric CO₂ levels are at
Tregullas Farm – a family affair.
Since meeting at agricultural college in 1986, Rona and Nevil Amiss dreamt of having their own farm. Neither are from farming backgrounds but that hasn’t
Providing practical learning opportunities on the Blackdown Hills
What is the Blackdown Hills Sustainable Farming Network? The Blackdown Hills, an area rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, is also a place where farmers,
The View from Dalditch: Farming with Purpose and Patience
‘This dry summer has been a real test for us on a new farm’ said Ollie White as he showed me the view from the
Somerset Moor Futures: Co-Designing Whole Moor Planning
A collaborative approach to planning the future of our moors. For the past two years, as part of the Environment Agency funded Lowland Agricultural Peat
Case study: Developing an Environmental Strategy Farm Plan for a landowner
Working with the landowner and estate tenants we completed an Environmental Strategy Farm Plan to meet the biodiversity strands of their nature recovery ambition for
The impact of Moor Associations on the Greater Sedgemoor Landscape Recovery Project
The value of local Moor Associations became especially clear during the development of the Greater Sedgemoor Landscape Recovery project in 2025, when complex and important
Mental health awareness & support
In June 2025, our Assistant Farm Environment Adviser, George Brock, attended a Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture training course provided by the DPJ Foundation. The
ELMs Test and Trial in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire’s Environmental Land Management Scheme Phase 1, 2 and 3 (2019 – 2023) Creating an on-farm assessment and analysis methodology for Landscape Recovery using integrated
SFI Reset Survey – data responses collected April 2025
Data collected by FWAG SW The data contained in the following report is from 133 respondents that range from FWAG SW members to FWAG Association
Current funding for farms
The sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has left many farms short of agri-environment scheme funding while BPS payments are simultaneously being reduced.
Grants & Schemes
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Capital Grants Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) Higher Tier capital Grants Protection and Infrastructure Grants
Multi-generational farm business wins Cornwall Otter Award.
In 2002, brothers Mark and Andy Williams took over the day-to-day running of Presingoll Farm, on behalf of their family, after their father passed away. At the time a mixed traditional farm with Devon and Cornwall Long Wool sheep and a herd of South Devon cattle. Since then, they with the support of their families,
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A Landscape Led by Ambition: Crowcombe Estate Wins the Somerset Otter Award
Crowcombe Estate is looking toward a bright and ambitious future after being awarded the Somerset Otter Award in 2025. On Thursday 9th July 2026, guests and neighbours gathered for a celebratory farm walk, recognising the team’s dedication to nature-friendly management and long-term stewardship of the land. The walk began at Hurley Beacon, one of the
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New entrants win award in Devon
Amelia and Jason Greenway of Columbjohn Farm in Rewe, Devon have won the John Whetman Devon Bronze Otter award. As new entrants to farming with no family farm to take on, Amelia and Jason began their farming careers by renting 70 acres of organic grassland alongside busy day jobs. They began their farming business, Springwater
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2026 Barn Owl Award – the judges journey and results…
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. Each year the winners of our County awards in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire go head to head to compete for this coveted prize
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Silver Lapwing Award 2026
“I’m totally taken aback, I never expected we’d win”: Peter Clifford from Frampton Court Estate has been awarded coveted National Farming and Conservation Award 2026 A family farm in Gloucestershire has been awarded the prestigious ‘Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group National Silver Lapwing Award’ from a shortlist of five exceptional finalists. Peter Clifford of Frampton
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Cornwall Otter Award winner 2024
Tregullas Farm were the winners of our Cornwall Otter Award in 2024 – read on to find out why…
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John Whetman Devon Bronze Otter Award winner 2024
Huccaby Farm, run by Shirley and David Mudge were the winners of the John Whetman Devon Bronze Otter Award in 2024 – read on to find out why…
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Somerset Otter Award winners 2024
Dillington Estate near Ilminster were the winners of our Somerset Otter Award in 2024 – read on to find out why…
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Cornwall Otter Award Winner 2023
Leyonne were the winners of our Cornwall Otter Award in 2023 – read on to find out why… Leyonne is a family farming business, owned by Bridget and Martin Whell. The farm has 450 dairy cows on a grass-based system alongside 400 beef cattle, 9 weaners and 44 hens, all contributing to the small farm shop.
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Tregullas Farm – a family affair.
Since meeting at agricultural college in 1986, Rona and Nevil Amiss dreamt of having their own farm. Neither are from farming backgrounds but that hasn’t deterred them. In 1999, after working on other farms for several years, they took on their first tenancy of a small farm on Exmoor, with plans to run a bed
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The View from Dalditch: Farming with Purpose and Patience
‘This dry summer has been a real test for us on a new farm’ said Ollie White as he showed me the view from the top of the farm. Since taking the tenancy at Dalditch Farm near Budleigh Salterton in March 2023, he’s had to learn to adapt to its light sandy soils which he
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Somerset Otter Award – Somerset finalists leading the way in nature-friendly farming
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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Bats and Invertebrates
Berkeley Heath Farm, in the Severn Vale recently brought farmers together to explore how working with nature can deliver practical, on-farm benefits. Sarah Wells, Senior
Dung Beetles: The Opportunity Most Farms Are Overlooking
From a business perspective, the numbers are clear. A UK study estimated Dung Beetles save the cattle industry about £367 million per year via reduced pasture fouling, parasite and fly
Pollinator Surveys – why we need them and what it involves
Insect pollination contributes, to varying extents, to improving the yield, quality and resilience of agricultural and horticultural crops – as well as being critical to
Case Study: Exmoor Grassland Surveys
In summer 2025 we surveyed 30ha of grassland on an organic beef farm on the edge of Exmoor. We advised our Farmer Member about management and restoration of species-rich grassland, as well as offering guidance on the suitability of
Hedge laying – a farmers perspective
Join farmer Jonathan at Folly Farmyard as he talks about the hedge laying process on his farm. Jonathan touches on the importance of laying hedges
Case Study: Higher Thorne Farm pond restoration
Three ponds have been restored and enhanced on Higher Thorne Farm with support through the Headwaters of the Exe project. The restored ponds will deliver
Protecting Dung Beetles
by Farm Environment Adviser, Anna Lantaff & Senior Farm Environment Adviser, Sammy Read. Dung Beetles are a type of beetle that rely on animal dung
Duke of Burgundy Butterfly
The Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) is a small brown and orange butterfly whose chequered wing pattern led to it being known in the past
Identifying Heathland Wildflowers
Richard Hollis – Farm Environment Adviser Lowland heath is a fantastic habitat growing on free-draining, acidic soil which is something we have in abundance where
Understanding The Rugged Oil Beetle
The Rugged Oil Beetle (Meloe rugosus) is one of only five oil beetle species in the UK and is one of the rarest. They have
How to make your water trough owl-proof
Whether it’s the ghostly silhouette of a hunting barn owl or the eeriness of a tawny owl’s hoot, owls are emblematic of the British countryside.
Beaver Position Statement
In 2022, the UK Government granted Eurasian Beavers Native Species Status, and further updated the legislation in 2025 to permit wild releases of beavers. This
Case Study: Leaky dams and river condition assessment
Leaky dams were installed in 2017 during the early days of the Hills to Levels project. We pushed the boundaries by placing them on a
Case Study: Higher Thorne Farm pond restoration
Three ponds have been restored and enhanced on Higher Thorne Farm with support through the Headwaters of the Exe project. The restored ponds will deliver
A View From Above (video)
This film showcases some of our natural flood management work from above. Please get in touch if you can help slow the flow. You will
Leaky Pond Cascade (video)
This Hills to Levels scheme has been designed to divert water away from the farmyard, where it was causing issues, and move it into areas
Reconnecting Floodplains (video)
As part of the Hills to Levels project in Somerset, Lidar data has been collected in order to establish the whereabouts of old floodplains, in
Leaky Pond (video)
A ‘Leaky Pond’ is just one example of natural flood management being undertaken across Somerset to help reduce flooding. In times of flooding, it is
Woodland Planting (video)
Woodland Planting is just one example of natural flood management measures being installed across Somerset to help reduce flooding. In times of heavy rainfall, higher
Woody Dams (video)
Woody Dams are just one example of natural flood management measures being installed across Somerset to help reduce flooding. Historically, woody dams that occurred naturally
Filter Soxx (video)
Filter Soxx are a natural flood management measure used to intercept water flow pathways in fields, particularly in areas where this causes issues such as
UK Rivers Prize 2018 (video)
The Hills to Levels project was chosen as one of the four finalists in the UK River Prize 2018. This is the short video we
Do man made leaky woody dams work? (video)
Angelique McBride, Assistant Resource Protection Adviser at FWAG SouthWest, presented research at the RRC Conference 2020. This video outline the results from monitoring leaky woody
Hills to Levels – Triple C Project in Somerset (video)
Working with farmers across Somerset and partners from the Netherlands and Belgium, FWAG SW has delivered a variety of water storage and erosion control measures
Phosphate nutrition for maize
Phosphate nutrition for maize At a recent FWAG event in Devon, Jon Myhill from the Maize Growers Association shared findings showing no yield penalty from
FWAG SW feature on podcast discussing all things soil
Joanna Uglow – Senior Farm Environment Advisor at FWAG SW, featured on a recent episode of Tonal’s podcast, talking about farming, soil and water. Joanna gives
Living Fields Research Project
Groundswell 2025 demonstrated how knowledge shared at agricultural events can spark interconnected ideas and practical innovation. One such outcome was the development of the Living
Unlocking phosphorus: Making the most of what’s already in your soil
Phosphorus (P) is a vital nutrient for crop growth, yet it’s one of the most elusive when it comes to availability in soil. Despite regular
Introduction to Soil Compaction and Infiltration
The first of three videos about soil compaction and infiltration provides an introduction to soil function and its important role within river catchments. The topics
Slurry Hydrometer for Phosphate Management
Phosphate and potash levels in slurry can be estimated from dry matter content—the higher the dry matter, the higher the phosphate content. However, nitrogen is
Getting to the Root Cause of Phosphorus Losses From Farms
Compiled by our Devon Nutrient and Soils team: FACTS and Basis Soil & Water qualified advisers Samantha Read, Eve Halliday and Dr Sabine McEwan. Over
Batcombe Slow the Flow Project
Author: Merle Brown. In 2021 the condition of the SSSIs that are fed by the River Brue were re-assessed as unfavourable declining due to water
Soil Compaction and Infiltration in Grassland
The second of three videos about soil compaction and infiltration looks at grassland soils. This video covers how to identify compaction in grassland, methods to
Soil compaction and infiltration on Arable Ground
The third of three videos about soil compaction and infiltration looks closely at arable systems. In this video we assess soil structure in three different
Soil, Water and Nutrient Management service
Healthy soil and clean water are the foundations of a productive farm. Good soil management boosts profitability, while smart nutrient use cuts fertiliser costs and
Stour Headwaters Project – Cinderella Catchment?
Author – Charlotte Marshall. Positioned between the iconic chalk streams of the Hampshire Avon and Poole Harbour’s Frome and Piddle, the Stour hasn’t always been
Farming Roadmap 2050: what it means for farming, food and the environment
Defra has published Farming Roadmap 2050: Growing England’s Future, setting out the government’s long-term direction for English farming through to 2050. It brings together a wide
Highlights of FWAG SW Response to Government Land Use Framework Consultation – April 2025
Training and advice / skills development A facilitation fund redesign could enable farmers to work collaboratively, sharing knowledge, experiences, equipment, etc. This could be enhanced
Wildlife rich Exmoor – how does grazing livestock restore and support biodiversity?
Author: Zara Blackmore. If you have ever stepped out into a late spring evening and stood silently as the sun sets over the heart of
Sustainable Food Systems Supporting Gloucestershire to become a Sustainable Food Place
Author – Jenny Salter. In 2022 Gloucestershire successfully joined the Sustainable Food Places programme, with the Gloucestershire Food and Farming Partnership (GFFP) hosting the county
Enhancing Biomass and Soil Structure: The role of biochar in tree planting systems
An increasing body of scientific research records gains in biomass for trees planted with biochar added to their planting pits. Put simply, larger, more vigorous
Tree Guards: which one is the right one?
At the recent Agroforestry show, supported by the Woodland Trust and Soil Association, the trees team had a good look round all stands to check
Trees
Intro Our Services Woodland Grants Western Forest Project FWAG SW is excited to announce the launch of our dedicated Tree Team, offering specialist advice and