CUMBRIA HILL FARMS - COMMITTED TO FARMING IN THE FELLS
Headline Issues for the Future of Hill Farming
- A sufficient critical mass of hill farmers needs to be maintained.
- There is a need for positive policies from key landowners.
- Hill farming has the potential to make a significant contribution to a low carbon economy through a depth of experience in developing and maintaining low input systems.
- The challenge is to build and sustain new ways of collaborating so that the cultural landscape is protected, biodiversity is strengthened, and the support and engagement of visitors to the uplands is enlarged and enlivened.
Cumbria hill farmers provide a huge range of benefits alongside their production of some of the best quality livestock in the UK. They:
- Commit to farming in the fells including the grazing of hill, moorland and common land by heafed native breeds of sheep.
- Conserve the land to protect natural resources and biodiversity.
- Collaborate with other hill farmers and relevant agencies.
- Communicate actively with local communities and visitors to increase public understanding of the countryside through shows, guided walks and farm open days.
- Maintain the landscape through enhancing historic countryside features such as vernacular buildings and dry stone walls.
- Produce quality local food.
The Hill Farming Systems project was developed by the Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER + Programme in partnership with Voluntary Action Cumbria in response to concerns about the future of hill farming. The aim of the project was to investigate the environmental, economic and social value of hill farming systems in Cumbria.
As part of the project, we have created this website which champions the cause of hill farming, begins a digital record of this invaluable cultural asset in Cumbria, and acts as a two way bridge between farmers and the wider community. This website includes profiles of 30 hill farms and a wide range of information about hill farming in the Cumbria Fells and Dales.
Want to know more about the project?
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Using the interactive map find out more about the 30 farms profiled on the website.
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The Cumbria Fells and Dales Leader + programme is based at Voluntary Action Cumbria and is part-financed by the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund of the European Union and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. This project is part of a trans-national project with Gévaudan Leader + Programme, Lozère, France.