Three more farms join green LEAF scheme

01 December 1998

Three more farms join green LEAF scheme

By Charles Abel

THREE more farms have signed up to a scheme which claims to make farming more environmentally friendly.

The farms have joined the Linking the Environment and Farming (LEAF) network which promotes integrated crop management principles. Together with 25 existing holdings, the new farms will demonstrate their cropping systems to other farmers and the public.

LEAF co-ordinator Caroline Drummond said she wanted to show the positive measures many farmers are taking to address consumer concerns over how food is produced.

“With a general fall in crop and meat prices and increasing consumer demands, many farmers are seeking ways to maintain profitability and meet the changing needs of their customers,” she said.

LEAF demonstration farms host visits from a broad range of non-farming groups throughout the year, she added.

Only by increasing the understanding of how food is produced and the measures taken by farmers to protect and enhance the environment, will consumers come to respect and value British food, said Ms Drummond.

More than 10,000 visitors visited LEAF demonstration farms this year.

The three new farms are