Free support helps Norfolk farmers to reduce carbon

A carbon scheme offering free advice to growers and livestock producers has been extended to help Norfolk farmers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Clarity initative provides support for farmers looking to understand how they can better manage carbon on their farm. It is being run by the Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) with support from Barclays Bank.

Action plans

After a successful pilot year in Cumbria, the scheme will now help 20 farming families in Norfolk. Group workshops will be delivered by Becky Wilson from the Farm Carbon Toolkit, alongside one-to-one support to create 20 carbon action plans.

Chris Harrison, a farmer who took part in the Cumbria pilot, is already implementing several practical changes. They includie planting wood pasture, and mob grazing Luing cattle with collars linked to virtual fencing.

Mr Harrison said: “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.”

Barclays head of agriculture Adam White 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.”

Royal Countryside Fund director Keith Halstead said the scheme would equip farmers with the knowledge and practical skills to manage their carbon on farm – and take advantage of new opportunities through environmental management.”

For details, visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/carbonclarity