The RSPB: Farming

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

The RSPB has joined forces with BBC Countryfile and in association with Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife, is able to offer wildlife-friendly farmers a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference. The Nature of Farming Award is about celebrating the fantastic work farmers are already doing for wildlife - and there is a prize of £1,000 for the winner!

An expert panel will select a shortlist of the very best entrants, then the public will be asked to vote for the farmer they think should win the UK's largest biodiversity award.

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

Angela and Alex McColl

Delighted to have won the Scottish Operation Lapwing Competition, Angela and Alex McColl, of Loig Farm in Perthshire, were ecstatic to then go on to win the overall UK prize for 2006. More...

We need your support

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

Advice for farmers

Farming near you

Volunteer & Farmer Alliance

Working with farmers

Policy

Latest farming news

Wildlife wins on Bardsey Island

14 May 2008

Farming on the island of Bardsey has entered a new era with the island’s wildlife firmly at the forefront.

RSPB to announce NI winner of ‘Nature of Farming’ at Balmoral Show

29 April 2008

RSPB NI will once again be represented at the 2008 Balmoral Show on May 14th, 15th an 16th where they will announce the Northern Ireland winners of an exciting new award, which recognises the work undertaken by local farmers to protect and enhance biodiversity on their land.

Calling all wildlife-friendly farmers

27 March 2008

This is your last chance to enter the RSPB’s new competition for farmers, the ‘Nature of Farming Award’, open to any farmer who feels they are doing their bit for wildlife on their farm. The award replaces the highly successful Operation Lapwing competition; the difference being, you don’t have to have lapwings to enter!

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.

Get farming updates including our regular farming e-newsletter from RSPB Plus.