DAVID RICHARDSON
DAVID RICHARDSON
When organic growers
are given hand-outs
everyones happy?
Why?Because the
sectors image is so
squeaky clean,
thats why…
Congratulations to this countrys organic farmers. Against unrestricted imports of often sub-standard goods they certainly need extra cash to enable them to continue their expensive production systems. Although I doubt the award will go far, unless something more is done to stem the flow of cheaper alternatives from abroad. That said, the allocation by government of a few £ millions to any sector of agriculture at present has to be regarded as a victory.
The media welcomed the announcement as a breakthrough for green farming. Wisely, I suspect, organic spokespeople confirmed that view, although they must be privately disappointed at the amount. But the most significant aspect of the media coverage was the revelation that the extra cash was justified because 30% of organic farmers were now losing money. "What about us?" I hear you cry. "Why cant the same argument justify help for the rest of British agriculture, a bigger percentage of which is losing even more money?"
The answer, whether we like to admit it or not, is that organic farmings public relations is better. Consumers have been persuaded by a skilled and persistent campaign over many years that organic is superior and because of that there has not been a whisper of hostility to giving those who practise it a helping hand. There has seldom been a clearer illustration that the image of most of farming needs an urgent makeover. I remain depressed that this is not being tackled and co-coordinated with sufficient vigour and expertise to make a difference.
That said, notable individual efforts are still being made across the country to try to compensate. There was one in Norfolk a few weeks ago that was excellent in both concept and execution. For the second time (it would have been the third if foot-and-mouth hadnt got in the way last year) Holt Farmers Club hosted a Sixth- Form Day on one of its members farms.
The idea was to attract as many Norfolk sixth-formers as possible to visit the farm to study aspects of its management deliberately presented to coincide with their curriculum. On the day around 250 of them, with their teachers, turned up at the event that had been masterminded by retired, but still energetic NFU county secretary, Ken Leggett.
Ken, with the help of local experts, had put together a detailed handbook on all aspects of the farm. Those included information on economics, environment, geography, employment, forestry, livestock, irrigation, machinery, allied industries, research and so on, and suggested further areas for study. Some of the teachers said it was the best teaching aid they had seen.
The young people arrived to a carefully worked out timetable and were welcomed by the guide who would conduct them round the farm. There were about 80 of these volunteers from the Holt Club, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, the NFU and associated trades and professions operating in Norfolk, some of whom had also sponsored the day.
Each group of students, with their teacher, was then escorted to appropriate sites around the farm where experts on particular topics waited to speak to them. The language was deliberately kept non-specialist but the information given was comprehensive, open and honest, as were responses to students and teachers questions. I was one of the escorts and I am bound to say that reactions to the excellent presentations varied according to the intelligence of the students and the enthusiasm of the teacher in charge.
However, a session was reserved for each group to have an in depth discussion before they returned to their school and my impression was that even some who had said little during the farm tour had clearly been listening and were ready to ask penetrating questions when challenged. Several of the students expressed themselves surprised and pleased by what they had learned. Reports since indicate that the teachers, too, were impressed by the arrangements and the learning opportunities provided.
As a result, at least some Norfolk students who go to university over the next year or two will take with them a better impression of our industry than might have been the case if we had not spent time with them that day. Significantly, that also applies to the teachers who participated. But the students we saw were a tiny proportion of this countrys teenagers. The kind of job we did needs to be repeated nationwide.
Not only that but public information on general agriculture to the entire population needs to be updated and integrated. Only then can we expect the kind of respect currently reserved for the organic sector. Only then might we be able to persuade government to provide for us a fairer business environment in which to operate.
Meanwhile, on this farm, even the weather seems to have ganged up on us. After the best week of the summer, which eventually ripened some of our winter barley, we started harvesting. Hours later a series of violent thunderstorms tipped their considerable contents all over us. We were at the eye of the storm and in one 3hr period we had over 50mm (2in) of rain. Since then a further 37mm (1.5in) have fallen. Need I say more?