Why farming matters and what you can do

Farming is of fundamental importance for wildlife. Farmland provides breeding and feeding habitats for birds and other animals and plants. Three-quarters of the land in the UK is farmed, and food production is a vital activity on which we all depend.

Since World War II, farming policy has encouraged large-scale, efficient food production, often at the expense of wildlife. In many areas of the UK, populations of farmland birds are in big trouble.

The RSPB believes that we can develop agricultural and trade systems that meet our need for food without reducing the benefits of farming for wildlife.

Nature of Farming Award

Now in its third year, the Nature of Farming Award celebrates the efforts of farmers providing for wildlife on their farms. Do you, and your farm, have what it takes to win the 2010 competition?

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In 1999, we bought a working lowland arable farm, Hope Farm, in Cambridgeshire. Run as a commercial enterprise, we use Hope Farm to give hands-on demonstrations of how farming can benefit birds and other wildlife without farmers losing income.

Your gift today will help us continue testing the introduction of new wildlife friendly farming techniques.

Gift donations for Hope Farm

The generosity of our supporters is vital, and Hope Farm relies on regular gift donations to help with its work.

Find out more about making a gift donation

Hope Farm diary

Keep up to date with the goings on at Hope Farm by logging onto the blog.

Read the blog

Farmer spotlight

Simon Stott

Find out about Simon's farm at Chipping, Lancashire and how he has achieved a spectacular increase in the number of lapwings breeding there. More...

Simon Stott with his Friesland sheep

We need your support

Become a member and support the RSPB's work to find wildlife-friendly methods of farming

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Latest farming news

Crop spraying at the RSPB Hope Farm

New rules on pesticide use must benefit farmland birds, says RSPB

9 February 2010

The RSPB has called for a new EU pesticide directive to be used to protect farmland wildlife in the UK.

Adult male lapwing in breeding habitat

World Wetlands Day brings new hope for the lapwing

2 February 2010

Wetlands, one of the most important habitats for plants and wildlife but also one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth, is celebrated in Shropshire today on World Wetlands Day through the launch of a new project.

Wheat field at the RSPB's Hope Farm just prior to harvest

Landowners and conservationists join forces in vision for the CAP

27 January 2010

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the RSPB have today (Wednesday, 27 January) launched their joint vision for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

This website has case studies of farmers managing habitats for wildlife, a discussion forum for farmers to ask any questions on farm management for wildlife conservation and a library of information on farm wildlife conservation with links to other relevant websites.

Find out more