Climate change project

Since November 2006, the ARF has been working alongside Forum for the Future, the NFU and CLA to raise awareness about climate change among growers and land managers. The project, Farming Futures, is funded by Defra's 'Climate Challenge' fund.

Farming Futures has looked at the impacts of climate change across UK agriculture as well as in the individual sectors and has suggested methods of adaptation and mitigation. There has also been an emphasis on the opportunities that may arise for UK growers as a result of climate change.

The project was launched at the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2007. Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future, chaired a panel discussion featuring NFU President Peter Kendall, CLA President David Fursdon, EBLEX Chairman and ARF Deputy Chairman John Cross and Mike Storey, BPC R&D Director, Forum for the Future manages the project and Kellie Payne (HGCA) has co-ordinated the ARF's contribution.

Kellie has been assisted by the following people across the ARF: Charlotte Bullock (MDC); Anthony Biddle (PGRO); Miriam Drewett (BPEX); Liz Genever (EBLEX); Mike May (BBRO); Mark Prentice (BPC) and Ross Newham (HDC).

One of the project outcomes has been a series of interactive fact sheets covering;

• climate change and agriculture
• opportunities and challenges
• adaptation suggestions
• mitigation measures

These are available on the project website at www.farmingfutures.org.uk Ten sector-specific fact sheets which combine existing knowledge with signposting for further information and practical examples of what can be achieved are also downloadable from the site.

Case studies illustrate measures that growers, 'climate champions', are already taking to combat climate change. Examples include Jim Bullock who practises conservation tillage; Julian Hasler and his on-farm water conservation and Dan Squier, who grows hemp for use as a sustainable building material.

The fact sheets and case studies have been used as the basis of a PR campaign resulting in press coverage in the farming press, lifestyle magazines as well as national print and radio. Coverage has also appeared in NFU and CLA publications as well as the MDC's Milk Developments and HGCA's Grain Outlook. The project has featured at manyof the important agricultural events throughout the year
including the Royal Show and Cereals.

Further research

Three sets of attitudinal research will be completed over the course of the project to gauge the changing attitudes of growers towards climate change and its impacts.

The future

This project has facilitated a constructive partnership made up of major stakeholders in UK agriculture. It has allowed ARF members to focus their attention on the important issue of climate change and to co-ordinate mssages across the levy boards. It has been a successful first step towards communicating relevant information about the changing climate to growers.

Farming Futures has secured funding until March 2009 and now aims to help stimulate on farm action to adapt to and mitigate climate change.