Agriculture
![]() Farmland is the major land use in North Devon and continues to shape the landscape, support communities and support the economy just as it has for over two thousand years. Farming's future and how it responds to the linked economic, cultural and environmental challenges of the 21st century is fundamental to the sustainable future (or otherwise) of northern Devon and indeed, the entire world.
The vision for farming in the Biosophere is farming that produces the agricultural products we need but in a way that supports the 3 core aims of Conservation, Sustainability and Learning. Farming Northern Devon's Nature Improvement Area - New Video
Farmers talk about the support they are receiving to farm in a more wildife friendly way as part of a profitable farm business |
ProjectsEstuary Project
DEFRA Facilitation Funds Catchment Sensitive Farming Taw River Improvement Project Diffuse Pollution Project Biosphere Sustainable Farming Award Issues
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In practice, this means farmers need to be strong businesses producing good quality produce, but (and this is what makes the difference) be farming in a manner that recognises the environmental impacts (positive and negative) of farm practices on a specific of the holding but also beyond farm boundaries, in the wider environment. Specifically, the Biosphere Reserve needs farming that:
The Biosphere Reserve partnership will support farms that farm in this way. We will do this by:
- Supports the continued health of wildlife
- Supports the environment's capacity to deliver ecosystem services such as reduced carbon emissions or flood prevention
- Preserves and enhances our special landscapes
- Has good relations with the community
The Biosphere Reserve partnership will support farms that farm in this way. We will do this by:
- Providing advice and signposting to advice
- Obtaining and distributing resources to address particular issues
- Recognising and promoting best practice in order to build other's understanding, support and capacity to take similar steps themselves.