Industry News

Leaving lawns long boosts butterfly numbers by 93%

Letting parts of your garden grow wild with long grass can increase butterfly numbers by up to 93% and attract a wider range of species, according to new research from leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation.   The study provides the first scientific evidence that having long grass in your garden increases butterfly abundance and diversity. Creating such wild spaces may help to reverse the decline of these beautiful insects.  The research is great news for gardeners and non-gardeners alike, proving the free and easy action of letting an area go wild can make a positive impact for butterflies.

The potential to provide wild spaces for butterflies and moths to thrive is huge. Gardens make up more than 728,000 hectares in Great Britain.   If each of these gardens had a space that was allowed to go a little wild, with grass growing long, it would make a huge difference for butterflies and moths, providing spaces for them to feed, breed and shelter.   While the research specifically studied gardens, the benefits to butterflies of long grass and wild spaces are likely to extend beyond the garden gate. Public green spaces such as parks, school grounds, allotments, and road verges, could also provide vital spaces for wildlife, and enable more people to see more butterflies if allowed to go a little wild.  Read how to create your own wild space on this page.  

Do you know a young Warwickshire farmer who deserves recognition?

Following the continued success of their Young Farmer of the Year Award Kenilworth and District Agricultural Society is again looking for a young farmer who deserves recognition for their work within the agricultural industry. This award, which has been running for the last 4 years, was won in 2023 by Bizza Walters with Sam Smith as runner-up.  You can read all about Bizza on this link.  KADAS Young Farmer 2023

The award is sponsored by Warwickshire Agricultural Society and comprises £500 for the winner and £300 for the runner-up.  If you know someone like Bizza and Sam who can showcase genuine expertise in their agricultural field, possess a strong work ethic, demonstrate proactive and forward-thinking qualities, and serve as an outstanding ambassador for farming and agriculture in the UK, then please nominate them now for the 2024 title.  Entry criteria are simple: Nominees must be under the age of 30 on the closing date of 30th September 2024, working in agriculture and living in Warwickshire.  The winner will be announced in early December and presented with the award at the next Kenilworth Show in 2025.  Read more and submit your nomination on this page.  

Over £6000 raised at Warwickshire RABI farmhouse breakfast

The charity farmhouse breakfast held on 7 February 2024 in aid of Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) raised an incredible £6046.30.  The event was hosted by Simon Moreton at Wetherle Manor in Weston under Wetherley and organised by Warwickshire RABI.

A delicious full cooked breakfast with all the food donated by local farmers and farm shops was prepared by staff from Barclays Bank and served during the morning by volunteer committee members from Warwickshire RABI.  Rural Hub was represented at the event by Chair Karen Ellis, Co-ordinator Jane Hampson and Health event massage therapist Maya van der Galian, who all enjoyed a big breakfast whilst chatting to local farmers.

The date for next year’s event will be announced soon – we hope to see you there!

Update on Long Compton abattoir – help needed with business structure and Articles

Farmer John Weaver, who is spearheading the campaign to buy the Long Compton abattoir site and re-open an improved facility, has given us this update:

“As well as launching the website and fundraising campaign, we have drawn up a Profit and Loss spreadsheet and the business plan is being pulled together. We have also set up a new company and opened a new Business account.  The main stumbling block at the moment is finding assistance in working out the correct business structure and finding someone who can put together the articles of association, so that we can offer shares to interested parties.  If you know of someone who can help please let me know”.

Can you help?  Please contact John on jdweaverlmf@gmail.com 

Read more about the campaign to save the abattoir on their website.  

Host a visit for Open Farm Sunday 2024

Since the first Open Farm Sun­day in 2006, over 1600 farm­ers across the UK have opened their gates and wel­comed over 2.7 mil­lion peo­ple onto farms for one Sun­day each year.   It is an oppor­tu­ni­ty for every­one, young and old, to dis­cov­er at first hand what it means to be a farmer and the work they do pro­duc­ing our food, enhanc­ing the coun­try­side and all the goods and ser­vices farm­ers provide.  Each event is unique based around the farm’s indi­vid­ual sto­ry. Activ­i­ties dur­ing the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, trac­tor and trail­er rides, demon­stra­tions, pond dip­ping, activ­i­ties for chil­dren, a mini farm­ers mar­ket or farm shop.

This year’s event is taking place on 9 June.    If you have never hosted an event but are thinking of getting involved this year, LEAF is running a series of Zoom meetings which will give new farmers all the information they need to host an event.  Visit this page to sign up to a Zoom meeting, read top tips, download a resource pack and register your event.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust seeks two Agricultural Advisers

By joining the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust agricultural advice team, you’ll be on the front line, helping farmers, landowners and growers to support nature’s recovery whilst enabling them to continue growing high quality food. With farmland covering 70% of Warwickshire this role will support farmers, landowners and growers to make space for nature and take action for wildlife.  As an Agricultural Adviser at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, you will work alongside colleagues in the team to help inspire and support farmers across the area. You will work closely with the Rural Hub Warwickshire Farm Cluster Groups and other partners to provide advice and guidance to farmers. Helping them to integrate nature into their business, apply for the Government’s new agricultural grants, and support them to transition to a more nature friendly way of farming.  The roles are full time, but part-time hours will be considered.

The full application pack can be download below.  Closing date for applications is 28 April and interviews take place on 9 May.

Agricultural Adviser Job Pack April 2024