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The South West Land Management Initiative
The Culm is a relatively remote area dominated by small livestock farms and supporting one of the largest concentrations of wildlife-rich pastures (Culm grassland) in Southern England. Agriculture accounts for an unusually high proportion of employment in the Culm, over 40% in some wards.
The area and the issues
The area covers 229,000 hectares, of which 30% is designated as Less Favoured Area and 6% falls within the North Devon AONB. The area was at the epicentre of the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
The main issues affecting agriculture in the Culm include:
- Financial difficulties for small farms leading to farm amalgamation;
- Increase in part-time farmers;
- Aging farming population often without successors;
- Environmental deterioration caused by overstocking or abandonment;
- Lack of maintenance of traditional farm buildings, hedges and walls; and
- Loss of traditional knowledge and skills.
Key Conclusions
The LMI conducted extensive research and produced a Land Management Strategy in partnership with a wide range of local stakeholders. Conclusions resulting from this work relate largely to securing a future for small farms in the Culm and elsewhere and highlight the need for: increased direct sales of produce; increased cooperation between farmers; and recognition of the value of wildlife and the environment for farm diversification. It also provided suggestions of ways to improve farm advice and community engagement.
Related Publication:
The South West Land Management Initiative
For further information contact:
Sarah Manning
Natural England
2nd Floor, 11-15 Dix’s Field
Exeter EX1 1QA
Tel: 01392 477150
Email: sarah.manning@naturalengland.org.uk
