Natural England honours farmer

WHITTLESFORD FARMER Robert Maynard has been honoured by Natural England for his innovative approach to farming that has protected many farmland plants and birds.

Donna Radley, Natural Englands‘s local conservation officer, said: “Robert Maynard was farming with wildlife on his mind long before there was any incentives.

“His open and innovative approach to testing new ways of managing his farm has enabled him to protect rare arable plants, such as the Grass Poly, scarce liverworts and farmland birds.” 

Mr Maynard, who farms part of the Whittlesford-Thriplow Hummocky Fields Site of Special Scientific Interest, has introduced nearly 300 yards of beetle banks.

“They‘re banks of mixed grass at the side of the field, and they encourage bugs, which then come out into the fields and eat the pests. It‘s better for wildlife than spraying with pesticides,” he said.