Countryside Care Area
Countryside Care Area is a popular venue for Royal Welsh Show visitors
Farmers visiting the Royal Welsh Show who are seeking information or advice on issues which could be crucial to their future business plans, particularly if they involve the environment should visit the showground’s Countryside Care area. One of the most interesting and informative sections of the Show, it was created in 1990 as an extension of the Country Pursuits area and was the logical outcome of increasing public awareness of nature conservancy and wildlife.
In the past 20 years as the term agri-environment has become a familiar phrase in the farming vocabulary, so has the area expanded and developed until it is now an important feature of the Show not only as an attraction for family visitors but also as a comprehensive source of knowledge for farmers who are the guardians of the countryside.
Those wishing to learn more, for example, about renewable energy, climate change, organic farming, the new all-embracing agri-environment scheme, Glastir, or Farming Connect, all of which are vitally important to farmers, are covered by organisations located in the Countryside Care section. As far as farmers are concerned there is also the additional advantage that this year the Welsh Assembly Government’s stand is adjacent to the area.
There are also organisations featuring the heritage, the environment and recreation, and the adjoining Sports Village and Country Pursuits area, favourite attractions for family visitors since the 1970’s, makes this a popular venue on the showground not to be misses.
Among the organisations present in the area at this year’s Show are:
ADAS | |
At this year’s Show ADAS will be featuring alternative energy systems suitable for farm businesses to consider. With the introduction of FIT’s and RHI farmers have the opportunity to look at various farm resources which could enable power generation or energy saving measures which can be deployed within their farm businesses.
This can help reduce carbon emissions as well as producing a valuable income source for the farm business. Technical advice on alternative energy as well as a wide range of main farming issues from biodiversity to business management services to assist today’s progressive farmer can be discussed with ADAS advisers on the stand.
British Waterways |
|
British Waterways manages four major canals in Wales - picturest Montgomery canal, the seclude Monmouthshire and Brecon, the tranquil Swansea and bustling Llangollen. The waterways of Wales contribute over £30m to the economy annually, attracting eight million visitors.
Visit the stand to meet the team and discover at first hand how they are unlocking the potential and safeguarding their precious heritage.
Canolfan Hinsawdd Cymru (CHC)/Wales Climate Centre |
|
With details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) imminent and due to be launched this summer and following the introduction of the Feed in Tariffs (FITs) last year. Canolfan Hinsawdd Cymru will be focusing on renewable energy technologies. There will be information available on the different technologies and the funding opportunities to Welsh farmers through the two Government initiatives (RHI and FITs). Experts will be on hand at the stall to answer any questions. For more information please visit our website www.climate-wales.org.uk or contact us on 01248 383689.
Centre for Alternative Land Use (CALU) |
|
More farmers are benefiting from branching out into fruit and vegetable production and with local food production becoming increasingly important and popular; this is the ideal time to get growing. Obviously, there are many questions which need answering before jumping into a new venture, and CALU can help provide answers to many of them. Technical advice on the practicalities of production, plus all-important information on probable margins and potential problems.
Through Farming Connect, there is an extensive range of support available to farmers considering diversifying and full information on these options can be found at the CALU stand.
Energy Now Magazine
Following a very successful debut last year a much larger area has been devoted farm based to Renewable Energy this year. It will again be organised by the publishers of Energy Now and a number of Companies will be present to discuss technologies and opportunities for farmers and landowners. Included will be developments of the wind, hydro, solar, biomass biofuels giving practical guidance on generating your own energy. There will be presentations each day of the show
Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) |
|
FWAG Cymru will have the latest information on Glastir at their stand. Farmers who have already submitted applications may require assistance with their preparations for interview in light of the Glastir Review Panel recommendations accepted by the Assembly or with their ACRES submission. Farmers who expressed an interest in Glastir on this year's Single Payment Form may be interested in the Glastir assessment service FWAG Cymru offers in preparation for completing their application forms.
FWAG Cymru will focus on some of the options available under Glastir which gain points for entry, with a demonstration of the requirements for a wildlife corridor.
The winners of this year's FWAG Cymru - National Grid Silver Lapwing Farm Conservation competition will be awarded their prizes. The awards promote environmental best practice in the commercial farming sector, with entries from farmers across Wales. The competition has been running for more than 30 years and recognised as the most prestigious farming-conservation award, serving to highlight the important environmental work farmers do, to a wide audience.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales |
|
Sculpture inspired by Welsh nature is the theme of the National Botanic Garden of Wales’ display this year. Apart from having some stunningly beautiful flower displays, the Garden also has a 400 acre commercial organic working farm, known as Waun Las National Nature Reserve. Home to over 1000 recorded species, Waun Las is a mosaic of traditionally managed hay meadows, pastures, spring cereal meadows, copses and ancient woodland, grazed by Welsh native breeds such as Llanwenog and Lleyn sheep and Welsh Black cattle. It demonstrates how farming and wildlife can co-exist sustainably.
With the help of the Countryside Council for Wales, a network of well signed and interpreted footpaths allows Garden visitors to explore the NNR. They also help artists to come up with some great ideas. We’ll be showing how Welsh plants, animals and livestock are influencing some of Wales’ leading artists and craftspeople, and discussing the merits of farming for wildlife.
Organic Centre Wales |
|
The Organic Food and Farming marquee is an essential stop for producers with an interest in organics. For those already organic and those thinking of changing, it is an opportunity to keep up with the latest policy developments and management techniques. The Farming Connect Organic Development programme staff will be on hand to offer technical support and help. The Organic Farming Scheme has been replaced with Glastir as the means of financial support for organic farming. The organic sector was represented on the Glastir review group and farmers can discuss the outcomes while taking advantage of the organic hospitality in the marquee. Farmers thinking about whether organic techniques would be useful to them can register for the free Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) and advisors will be available throughout the Show.
Exhibitors in our marquee this year are:
Farming Connect
Organic Centre Wales (OCW)
Better Organic Business Links (BOBL)
Farming and Countryside Education
(FACE)
Organic Conversion Information Service
(OCIS)
Organic Farmers and Growers
Soil Association Certification
Quality Welsh Food Certification
WRAP Cymru
Food Ethics Council
Weir - Total Supply Chain Sustainability
Why I Love Organic
Royal Commission |  |
| On The Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales | |
Visit the Royal Commission’s stand to see displays highlighting its work of recording and surveying the heritage of Wales. An exhibition of fascinating archaeological sites, historic buildings and landscapes from our national archive.
Visitors can also find out more about the organisation and meet the staff featured on Hidden Histories. Archaeologists will be on hand to answer your questions and demonstrate the latest technology for surveying archaeological sites and buildings, including farmhouses.
The Royal Commission is the investigating body and national archive for the historic environment of Wales. It has the lead role in ensuring that Wales' archaeological, built and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded and understood, and seeks to promote appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally.
RSPB Cymru |
|
RSPB Cymru will be celebrating its Centenary at the Show. In response to concerns about a decrease in footfall, RSPB have commissioned a 3D model of a typical uplands farm to be created. This will act as an advisory tool to attract the attention of farmers and as a talking point with them. The model will focus on key farmland, conservation on this type of land and key species to focus on.
School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography (SENRGY)
The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) will require concerted actions in catchments to improve water quality and aquatic biodiversity. Many rivers and lakes in the UK are failing to meet the standards required under the WFD due to enrichment with phosphorus (P) causing eutrophication. Agriculture is one of a number of sources of P entering rivers. Agricultural intensification over the last few decades has led to a heavy reliance on feeds and fertilisers rich in highly-soluble P. Widespread use of these P imports has caused large increases in soil P levels which in turn has increased P concentrations in land runoff entering rivers. The SENRGY exhibition will illustrate how rivers have become so enriched with phosphorus and what actions farmers and the general public can take to help improve water quality and health.
Ty Mawr
Ty Mawr has for many years had a popular stand demonstrating the products of traditional and ecological building materials and services they offer. It is hoped that this year they will expand their area to include skills learnt at their training courses
Also in this area this year will be CADW, Wildlife Trusts Wales (WTW), Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), and Countryside Council for Wales, Songbird Survival Trust, Aeolus, Princes Trust, and Britain Trust for Ornithology, World Wildlife Fund, Dry Stone Walling and Hedgelaying.
Don’t miss the opportunity of visiting the Countryside Care Area to see what is on offer to develop your farming business.
