What does sustainable farming mean to you?
As the newest member of the Agricology team, working as Communication Assistant, I am excited to have been thrown in at the deep end to organise the social media competition – #Agricology.
In the lead up to Moreton Show on the 3rd September, Agricology is running a competition to celebrate sustainable farming. We want you to post your best examples of practical, sustainable farming and tag them with #Agricology. Anything from agroforestry, green manure and minimum tillage to planting of sainfoin and encouraging predators into crops – if it speaks to you as sustainable farming then tag us in it. Posts can be photos, videos, blogs, quotes or anything else you can think of. Our favourite post that we think best shows sustainable farming in practice will win a voucher for two places at the Daylesford Organic Cookery School. The winner will be judged at 4pm and announced shortly after from the NFU Q & A tent at Moreton Show. If you follow us you will be sure to know if you have won!
Come and see us at Moreton Show and find out more about who we are. We will be located in the Countryside and Heritage Area.
More about the prize
The Cookery School is located on the Daylesford Organic Farm, winner of the Harry Ferguson Trophy and Overall Champion Farm at the Morton-in-the-Marsh Show 2016. The winner will have access to the Cookery School kitchen, situated in a beautifully restored barn, and will have a choice of any full day course. The courses are suited for any level of expertise – from complete beginner to a confident cook. The farm provides the perfect opportunity to work with a range of local ingredients; fruit and vegetables from the market garden, cheese, milk and yogurt from the creamery, and meat from the fields. With all of these wonderful ingredients at your fingertips, your day at the Daylesford Organic Cookery School is sure to be inspiring!
Communication Assistant for Agricology
I have always had a great passion for nature and growing up in rural Oxfordshire gave me plenty to be inspired by. In 2012 I attended Aberystwyth University and graduated in July last year with a 1st in Ecology. It was during this course that I became particularly interested in the relationship between agriculture and the environment. I carried out my dissertation on the Pontbren project in Mid-Wales, where sustainable farming is being implemented and trees are being used to reduce surface run-off. After graduating I began an internship with the National Trust on the South Coast of Devon, working as a practical ranger. I learnt a lot of very hands on skills and got a lot of enjoyment out of working in such a beautiful part of the country and with a great team.
In June of this summer I began a traineeship with the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust based at Chimney Meadows. The reserve is managed as a farm with the main focus being hay crops from the meadows to encourage a diverse sward of wild flowers. In addition to my traineeship, I am now the latest member of the Agricology team working as Communication Assistant. I began the position at the start of the month and since then have met so many faces that I am struggling to keep count! Based at Daylesford Organic Farm, with frequent trips to the Organic Research Centre, I am thoroughly enjoying the start of my job. The people are friendly and enthusiastic and all have a passion for sustainable farming and protecting the environment.
Associated Agricology Partner Organisation(s):
