Andrew Brown • Member’s View
Farming brief Evidence of help for US farmers emerged at the 2020 AIC Conference. The USDA’s huge resources have been committed to raise agricultural production 40% by 2050, whilst halving environmental impacts. US-based Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture is using USDA metrics to show how environmental footprints have fallen 30-50% since the 1980s and is seeking recognition by other sustainability standards around the world to aid exports. www. fieldtomarket.org
“I missed seeing the eager faces arriving on the bus, and the questions they ask in the sitdown session in the barn.”
ANDREW BROWN 07801 057417 twbfarms@aol.com @farmerabrown www.visitourfarm.co.uk www.rutlandcricketcentre. co.uk
Howzat – not out! Committee member Andrew Brown takes an up-beat perspective to dispel any winter gloom
LAST year was a write off – in so many ways! Diluvial rain followed by the warmest, driest spring anyone can remember. Combined with a lack of neonicotinoid seed treatment it meant I harvested 14.5t from 64 acres of oilseed rape! No more OSR here until a flea beetle solution is found. Then of course there is the C word – which threw all our lives into turmoil. Well most of our lives anyway. As farmers I think we are extremely lucky to be able to carry on with our businesses without too much disruption. Being out in the countryside amongst nature is something we must never take for granted. Imagine being couped up in a small flat in a high-rise block with several small children under the age of five. What a nightmare! Reconnecting the public with nature and teaching them about how and why we farm has been a central theme throughout my farming career. We have hosted thousands of school children on the farm and see first-hand the interest and wonder in these young minds as they learn where their food comes from. Last year we had no visits. I missed seeing the eager faces arriving on the bus, and the questions they ask in the sitdown session in the barn. Schools are still genuinely interested in coming to the farm, but it is how we organise it in a covid-safe way which will be the challenge. As a
14 • The Farmers Club New Year 2021
farmer I am an optimist (you must be in this business) and remain hopeful that by spring we will be back hosting visits. Cricket diversification Meanwhile, finding ways to make more of our farm assets is vital. I am a keen cricketer and after missing a hook shot last year, and getting a ball in the eye, I decided I should have some coaching! Interestingly, the coaches said they struggle to find suitable locations for winter nets. Sports halls and schools prefer aerobics classes and the like, which bring many more paying participants than a couple of cricket nets. It got me thinking – I have part of a barn I only use for the summer months, which is just the right shape and size for three full size nets…! Nearly a year later the nets were up, the matting down, bowling machines at the ready and ECB standard lighting switched on for a tremendous first night. The interest on social media has been amazing, with excellent forward bookings. It looks like it could be a big hit for the local cricketing community. Despite all the doom and gloom there is always cause for optimism. I for one am looking forward to getting on the front foot – even on the sticky wicket we seem to have been given.
