The Farmer Cluster story

Jess Brooks looks at the success of Farmer Clusters which have grown from one farmer-led NIA in 2012 to 120 Farmer Clusters at the end of 2019

Almost a decade ago, Sir John Lawton’s Making space for nature report was published, highlighting the need for ‘bigger, better and more joined up’ conservation. In response, GWCT helped a group of farmers in the Marlborough Downs win funding to establish a Nature Improvement Area (NIA) and pursue a landscape-scale approach to conservation. This was the only farmer-led NIA created, and since 2012 they have delivered tremendous results on the ground.

GWCT was inspired to find out whether this ‘bottom-up’ process of working alongside a group of farmers would work with normal everyday funding streams such as Countryside Stewardship. So, we set up five pilot ‘Farmer Clusters’ with funding from Natural England.

Land managers quickly understood the benefits of joining forces to manage the countryside, showing huge enthusiasm. Soon the pilot clusters were devising their own conservation plans, and choosing target species, issues and habitats. The work is generally underpinned by independent but co-ordinated agri-environment schemes, and groups are led by a farmer chairman and ‘facilitated’ by an advisor chosen by them.

Natural England commissioned a report on the success of the pilots, and as a result, introduced the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund (CSFF) to help farmers work together and fund advisors. A small

but increasing number are self-funding or pursuing private funding from corporate sponsors, water companies or charitable trusts. At the end of 2019, there were 120+ groups across England covering over 500,000ha and involving more than 3,000 land managers. The results of the fourth round of CSFF will be announced in 2020 and could “...at the end of 2019, significantly boost those numbers. there were 120+ Martin Down ‘Supercluster’ groups across Eng- The Martin Down ‘Supercluster’ was established at the junction of land covering over Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire in 500,000ha and 2016 and comprises three Farmer Clusters surrounding the Martin involving more than Down National Nature Reserve 3,000 land managers” (NNR). Together, this huge trio of clusters cradles the nature reserve, covering an area of 23,600 hectares (236km²), and the combined force of 45 farmers are united in their aim to protect and enhance the iconic and threatened wildlife of Martin Down NNR on surrounding farmland. Martin Down Farmer Cluster (MDFC) Like other farmer-led landscape-scale projects, the MDFC holds several training workshops, social events, talks and walks every year for members. Conservation action is co-ordinated as much as possible across the landscape and the cluster has a significant focus on species monitoring to track progress over the years. Jess Brooks, Farmland Biodiversity Officer

(Top) Farmers in the clusters devise their own conservation plans, choosing target species, issues and habitats.

The Martin Down Supercluster

Allenford Farmer Cluster – est. 2014, 6,100 hectares (ha), 10 members

Chalke Valley Farmer Cluster – est. 2015, 12,000ha, 25 members

Martin Down Farmer Cluster – est. 2016, 5,500ha, 12 members

PRIORITIES: Turtle dove, woodcock, orchids, hedgehogs, harvest mice, lapwing, arable fl ora, bumblebees,

earthworms, barn owl, grey partridge, corn bunting, dung beetles, Duke of burgundy/dark green fritillary/ small blue butterfl ies, soil organic matter and chalk downland links. (L-R) Map of the Martin Down Supercluster; occupation of barn owl broods in nest boxes increased by 23% between 2018 and 2019, and average brood size increased from 2.5 to 2.75; 60% of all British resident butterflies can be found across the cluster area such as meadow brown, comma, brimstone, peacock, and special butterflies include adonis blue (above), white admiral, purple emperor and dark green fritillary.

Monitoring We have been running a long-term wildlife-monitoring effort to track the cluster’s progress. All farmer members have participated in the monitoring, aided by local volunteers, farm staff and family. Over 10,000 species records have been submitted to biodiversity recording centres to date. Collecting these data has really accelerated the farmers’ learning and enthusiasm, as well as informing conservation plans. It’s still early days, and long-term data are required to assess the outcome of conservation work across the cluster which will take a minimum of five years.

Community outreach Residents in the Martin Down area have taken an interest in the project, such as joining the farmers in a landscapescale hedgehog footprint tunnel survey and adopting butterfly transects. The Martin Down Farmer Cluster has a ‘Friends’ group, made up of local people and naturalists who attend farmland wildlife events, get updates on the conservation activities and participate in surveys.

The cluster has produced a fundraising calendar, created using photos taken by the farmers, keepers and locals. The 2019 calendar raised £320 net proceeds which went towards the restoration of a turtle dove pond on Martin Down NNR. The 2020 calendar proceeds will be donated towards grazing equipment to restore butterfly habitat on Kitts Grave.

The farmers are keen to engage with the wider public and visitors, so we have created a unique poster for each farm to show what they are doing for their local environment and what can be seen on the farm.

Wider engagement and public relations The Martin Down Supercluster has hosted several visits for Government officials and large landowners, to share with them our experience of landscape-scale conservation. We are also part of the Southern England Regional Facilitators Group, which enables Farmer Clusters in southern England to share experiences, ideas and advice.

Last autumn lead farmer Tim Palmer and facilitator Jess Brooks, hosted a visit from NFU President Minette Batters, and also took the message of landscape-scale farmer collaboration to big audiences including the CLA Rural Business Conference.

In 2019 – our third year of monitoring – we recorded the highest abundance of three of our fi ve most common bumblebees.

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Abundance

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100 2017 2018 2019

0 Buff-tailed Common Early Garden Red-tailed carder Martin Down Farmer Cluster highlights since 2017

Created 185 acres of brand new grass and flower margins, wild bird seed plots, cultivated margins for arable flora, arable reversions and pollen and nectar mixes.

Increased the amount of wild pollinator habitat on arable land by 50%.

Doubled the number of ponds helpful for turtle doves.

Improved education about hedgehogs in local villages.

Created grey partridge habitat on 600ha.

Nine out of 11 farmers are now running Larsen traps to reduce magpie predation pressure on turtle doves.

Supplementary feeding is provided for birds on all the farms. www.farmerclusters.com