CLA Rural Business Uncovered

It is predicted that due to climate change, all areas of the UK will continue to get hotter and drier, with 2021 projected to be one of the hottest years on record. Combined with an estimated population increase of six million people in England and Wales by 2043, many areas will be facing significant water shortages by 2050. 

In this podcast Alice Ritchie, CLA Climate Change and Water Lead discusses how vital water is for the rural economy, how farmers and landowners can reduce their reliance on water, and the CLA's vision for the water environment.

Alice is joined by Nancy Smith, Communications and Engagement Executive at Water Resources East (WRE) who shares with us the current state of the water environment, and the importance of collaboration across all water-using sectors

WRE Systematic Conservation Planning: https://wre.org.uk/projects/systematic-conservation-planning/

WRE Norfolk Water Strategy Programme: https://wre.org.uk/projects/norfolk-water-strategy-programme/

WRE Resource Position Statement including future planning: https://wre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WRE-RPS-report-March-2021-FINAL.pdf 

If you have enjoyed this episode you may also like to listen to Nancy Smith’s podcast, What is water? https://anchor.fm/whatiswater 

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In this episode we explore how rural businesses can tap into the staycation trend. 

As foreign travel this summer remains uncertain, the demand for domestic day trips and staycations is rising. With creativity and flexibility in mind can businesses capitalise on this opportunity? Will the trend and pent-up demand continue? 

Charles Trotman, CLA Senior Rural Business and Economics Adviser, discusses how businesses can prepare for the coming season, what other diversified activities could become popular, and the importance of gauging the market properly. 

We are also joined by Robyn Isherwood, owner of the luxury events company RJI Consultancy and founder of the UK's first-ever social distancing festival at Gisburne Park Estate. Robyn shares with us how the festival came into being and gives advice for businesses that are interested in diversifying. 

To find out more about Gisburne Park please visit: www.gisburneparkestate.co.uk

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To kick start season two, we delve into a concept that is increasingly coming to the fore in business - responsible capitalism, which encourages you to promote your good business practices. 

Julian Richer, Founder and Managing Director of Richer Sounds, shares with us how this idea prompted the launch of a scheme called the Good Business Charter. 

You will hear from Jenny Herrera, Chief Executive of the Good Business Foundation, the charity behind the Charter who explains how it measures behaviour over ten key components including environmental responsibility, ethical sourcing and employee representation. 

We are also joined by CLA member and Good Business Charter member Johnny Wake of the Courteenhall Estate in Northamptonshire. Johnny and his colleague Philippa Fitzgerald will discuss with us their experience of the scheme so far, and why rural businesses and landowners in particular should seek to gain accreditation. 

To find out more about becoming a member of the Good Business Charter and to get started visit: www.goodbusinesscharter.com 

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In this episode, Sophie Dwerryhouse, CLA National Access Adviser, gives insight into the management responsibilities of farmers and landowners where rights of way are concerned, and explains why the CLA are campaigning for the Countryside Code to be taught in schools.

We are also joined by CLA member Phil Rowbottom who shares with us how he manages the rights of way across his 300 acre arable farm, and the impact an increased footfall is having on both the wildlife and the day-to-day running of his business.

Britain’s 150,000 miles of public footpaths have been very busy over the past year. The countryside has seen a significant rise in the number of visitors, prompted by a desire to break the monotony of repeated lockdowns, and enjoy some much-needed exercise. 

Whilst this upsurge in interest is to be welcomed, farmers and landowners, as custodians of the land, hold a key responsibility for the management of many of these routes. But often those responsibilities are misunderstood

To read the Countryside Code please visit- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code

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In this week’s episode, CLA member Emily McVeigh of the Kenton Hall Estate in Suffolk shares with us how the pandemic has affected her wedding venue business, and the importance of a government roadmap to re-opening this forgotten industry. 

We are also joined by Dr Charles Trotman, CLA Senior Rural Business and Economics Adviser, who gives us an insight into the scale of the problem and explains what is needed to help businesses in this sector survive now and into the future.

For more information on the UK Weddings Taskforce please visit: https://ukweddings.org/about

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This week we are joined by CLA member Jonny Crickmore, a third generation dairy farmer and owner of Fen Farm Dairy in Suffolk who shares with us his diversification story. Jonny and his wife Dulcie saw an opportunity and started producing a specialist cheese. Identifying a gap in the market, Britain's first brie was launched in 2013: Baron Bigod. 

Today they supply the hospitality sector with a range of artisan produce as well as selling direct to the public online. You will hear how Jonny and his team were able to adapt to the impacts of coronavirus and why Jonny believes more farmers should consider diversifying their businesses, now more than ever. 

Visit Fen Farm Dairy’s website and online shop https://fenfarmdairy.co.uk.

For more information on the Specialist Cheesemakers Association visit - http://www.specialistcheesemakers.co.uk

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This episode focuses on the challenge of decarbonising rural homes.

For the UK to meet its 2050 net-zero target, greenhouse gas emissions from buildings need to be eliminated. The minimum energy efficiency standards for privately let households are being tightened from 2025, while oil heating is being phased out from 2028. In order to meet these tougher requirements, rural landlords should start thinking about the transition of their properties to low-carbon heating. 

Hermione Warmington, CLA Property and Business Policy Adviser, shares with us why rural households are so challenging to decarbonise and the options that are available for low-carbon, off-gas heating. You will hear what the current government regulations are, and how the Green Homes Grant scheme can help you decarbonise your rural property.

For more information please visit:

Green Homes Grant - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme

Energy Savings Trust- https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/

Read the CLA’s consultation response: https://www.cla.org.uk/influence/policy-library/improving-energy-performance-privately-rented-homes-england-and-wales

CLA members can access the briefing note here: https://www.cla.org.uk/briefing-note-consultation-improving-energy-performance-privately-rented-homes-england-and-wales

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In this podcast you will discover how important the UK’s peatland is for climate change, biodiversity, water quality and more.

Carbon-rich upland and lowland peatlands make up 12% of the UK’s land area. Currently storing 20 times as much carbon as the UK’s forests, they give the UK a significant advantage in the fight against climate change. However, much of the UK’s peatland is in a degraded state, and options must be looked at to start restoring these valuable natural habitats.

Alice Ritchie, CLA Climate Change Lead, shares with us the ongoing work in the uplands of England and Wales and how unique these ecosystems and habitats are, particularly for rural tourism. 

We are also joined by Jo Finlow, from Fens for the Future, who discusses the unique nature of lowland peat and how partnerships like Fens for the Future can work with stakeholders to achieve real change. 

For more information on the topics covered in today’s podcast visit:

Peatland Code: https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/funding-finance/peatland-code

Fens for the Future: https://www.fensforthefuture.org.uk/

Moorland Association: https://www.moorlandassociation.org/

Climate Change Committee: https://www.theccc.org.uk/

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Part one: Trees

‘David Attenborough’s recent Netflix documentary did an incredible job making the case that the key to solving climate change is right in front of us: nature. Nature is our biggest ally, inspiration and the best, most cost-effective, shovel-ready technology we have to tackle the climate crisis.’

In this podcast we focus on how the UK’s significant potential for tree planting is uniquely placed to deploy these solutions.

Graham Clark, CLA Senior Land Use Policy Adviser, tells us how we can increase tree planting, how additional trees can help us reach net zero and the tools landowners need to encourage further woodland creation. 

We are also joined by Andrew Baker, Carbon Project Manager at CarbonStore, who explains the Woodland Carbon Code and the various opportunities woodland creation provides for diverse streams of income including grant support and the selling of carbon units and timber.

This episode is supported by Tilhill.

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This week’s podcast will explore why soils are so important for the climate, environment and food production. Karen Fisher, a Farming Adviser at the Soil Association tells us about what they mean for climate change goals and how healthy soils can also help adapt to climate change and tackle the biodiversity crisis.

We are also joined by Georgie Bray, who shares with us the practices she has implemented on her arable farm that have improved soil health. You will hear about what she has learnt in the process and her top tips for farmers looking to undertake some of these practices.

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