On Wednesday 6th November Sheepdrove hosted the North Wessex Downs National Landscape 2024 Annual Forum – many thanks to the brilliant North Wessex Downs team for a stimulating programme and a thoroughly enjoyable day on the farm with a delicious lunch from local Lambourn Valley caterer Jake from Quinton Catering.
In the courtyard there was a composting machine courtesy of Richard Horton and the Pewsey Downs Farmer Cluster and a Tow & Fert machine courtesy of Geoff Homer of Homer Farming.
In the Oak Room Julian Gold of the Hendred Estate and Soil Farmer of the Year 2019 gave the key note speech gave a powerful and personal keynote speech on the future of farming. We learnt about using Pruex beneficial microbes to reduce ammonia emissions in farming systems from Peter Wilson of Rudge Manor Farm, the impact of and story behind farmer led groups from Dr Jemma Batten of Black Sheep Countryside Management and Marlborough Downs: Space for Nature, and the Pasture for Profit in Protected Landscapes programme from Jimmy Woodrow of Pasture for Life (pictured)
Other exhibitors in the courtyard included Pasture for Life, Edge Landscaping and two Cactus Tree Guards around two of the courtyard trees – as modelled by North Wessex Downs FIPL officer Jemima Sellwood!
The day ended really well for Rachel of Edge Landscaping when Peter Wilson donated a dumpy back of chicken manure to the Sheepdrove Teaching and Demonstration Market Garden!
