LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque farmer, Duncan Farrington has achieved national recognition for his work to enhance biodiversity on his farm.
Duncan Farrington, who farms at Hargrave in Northamptonshire, is being featured in a new three part television series ’Bees, Butterflies and Blooms’ with Sarah Raven, which is being aired on BBC2 at 8pm, Wednesday 8 February. Duncan produces rapeseed oil and a range of award winning dressings to LEAF Marque standards.
The series highlights some of the innovative work Duncan has been carrying out to protect the wildlife on his farm and help reverse the decline in native bumblebees. This includes sowing wildflower margins around his fields and replacing hedgerows.
Duncan, who is also a LEAF Demonstration Farmer, has been a member of LEAF for more than ten years and carries out Integrated Farm Management (IFM).’’ IFM provides a framework for the whole farm and is the key principle behind the LEAF Marque, the leading environmental food label. IFM enables farmers, from all sectors, to achieve high productivity with low environmental impact.
Duncan explained ’I am very proud to have been involved in this exciting television programme. Our pollinating insects are vital to the production of the vast majority of the fruits and vegetables we need in a healthy diet. If we don’t start to look after our pollinators, by providing them with food and habitats, eventually our favourite foods could vanish from our supermarket shelves.’
LEAF’s Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond added ’LEAF has been at the forefront of sustainable agriculture for over 20 years and has championed IFM since 1991. Farmers play a vital role in helping to protect our pollinating insects by providing more natural habitats and food. Duncan is a great example of how it is possible for farmers to achieve high productivity whilst caring for the environment, through IFM.’
As part of LEAF’s work in helping to raise awareness of what farmers do to farm with environmental care, this year’s Open Farm Sunday on the 17 June will include a Pollinator Survey on selected farms. The Pollinator Survey will seek to scientifically record and measure insects visiting flowers, crops and other plants present on farms on the day itself. This is a unique opportunity for public and farmers to work together and for people of all ages to discover at first hand the importance of nature to their food in a fun and engaging way.
