Contemporary farming methods are ill-equipped to confront the challenges posed by climate change. The pervasive use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals throughout the entire growth cycle has rendered crops more susceptible to super-pests capable of decimating entire harvests. Moreover, the extensive use of heavy machinery compacts the soil, disrupting the natural drainage systems established by root growth. Consequently, heavy rains often lead to flooding, leaving crops waterlogged and prone to rotting in the fields. Nonetheless, there exists an alternative approach.
The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is an organisation initiated by a small group of forward-thinking farmers who recognised the benefits of working with nature rather than against it. Despite its youth, the NFFN was established in 2017, it’s membership is rapidly growing as farmers and the public become increasingly aware of the precarious state of the current farming system. Traditionally, farms operate as businesses and many farmers have viewed their neighbours as competitors, hesitant to share knowledge for fear of losing a competitive edge. In contrast, the NFFN actively promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration. By fostering an environment where farmers work together, the network aims to ensure that everyone can benefit and collectively address challenges posed by issues such as climate change.
This ongoing project seeks to highlight the efforts of farmers striving to reform the existing agricultural system. It aims to foster public awareness regarding the origins of their food and the consequential impact of their purchasing choices on a global scale.
‘What I want, and many farmers do now, is [to grant] responsible access to people. Come and engage and understand. If you’re going to the lakes or rural places, try to talk to a farmer, try and get some information, and let the farmer tell you the story of what’s happening in the field. And really start to connect with the solutions that farming can deliver. Because if we can change our farming practices, we can almost be the heroes of the future. Because we can do the food, we can do the nature; we can do the climate, cleaner water, cleaner air, and create a healthy environment that people can come and exercise in. I can open up areas of my farm for people to come and be in nature, which is so much more beneficial to use as a society, but it’s different from what we’ve had before.’'
- Martin Lines CEO Nature Friendly Farming Network