The talk at the meeting held on 16th November 2023 was entitled “Nature Friendly farming supporting Fauna and Flora to improve Farmland” by Martin Lines, the CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.

Martin farms a 165 hectare farm in Eltisley, which has been in his family for several generations.

The Network believe that nature friendly farming is not only better for wildlife but it is also the most productive and sustainable way of getting food from the land.

The fields are first scanned and then the soil tested for minerals and nutrients so that areas that are too wet or never produce can be either improved or taken out of production and the correct fertilisers and minerals can be used in the places that require them so there is no run off and pollution of the waterways.

At present we farm more land than we need as we have too much livestock which needs feeding.

They have found that by having strips of flowers every 10 – 20 meters across a field there is less need for insecticides which both saves money and helps wildlife. The Network “Nature Friendly Farming Network” helps to lobby government and disseminate information. They also have a website www.nffn.org.uk where more information can be found