Launching free support with Barclays to help Norfolk farmers reduce their carbon
November 21, 2023
The Royal Countryside Fund is delighted to be extending its Carbon Clarity programme with the support of Barclays in a new partnership. Carbon Clarity provides free support for farmers looking to understand how they can better manage carbon on their farm.
Following a successful pilot year in Cumbria, the RCF has secured funding from Barclays to expand the Carbon Clarity programme into Norfolk to help a further 20 farming families. The next workshop will take place on Thursday 30 November in Norwich from 6pm-9pm.
The programme, recommended by more than 8 in 10 participants, offers an introduction to carbon reduction on farms through in-county group workshops delivered by Becky Wilson from Farm Carbon Toolkit, one-to-one support, and assistance in creating a carbon ‘action plan,’
Chris Harrison, a farmer who took part in the Cumbria pilot, is already implementing several practical changes, including planting a wood pasture, and mob grazing Luing cattle with collars linked to virtual fencing.
He says: “We have halved sheep numbers and are aiming to increase species diversity in our grazed areas. Hopefully, all of this will mean that we will sequester more carbon. So far, the cattle collars have worked, and we are very interested to see how the mob grazing changes their grazing effect on the sward. We are planting trees now in cages and will do many more next winter.”
Adam White, Barclays Head of Agriculture said: “We are very excited about working with the Royal Countryside Fund to help farms in Norfolk understand where and how carbon is produced on their farms, and the actions they can take to reduce it.”
Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “The RCF is committed to helping farming families successfully navigate this challenging period of agricultural transition. I would like to thank Barclays for supporting Carbon Clarity – the funding is enabling us to extend this new programme into two new regions which will help equip farmers with the knowledge and practical skills to manage their carbon on farm and take full advantage of new opportunities being introduced through environmental management programmes.”
The next workshop will take place at Easton College, Norwich on Thursday 30th November.
Or contact the local coordinator Helen Reeve via email: hmreeve@msn.com or by calling 07795 327011.
