Plumpton College at Netherfield, sustainable food and farming, support for farmers,new to farming, learn farming, keeping sheep, keeping cattle, keeping pigs

A Success Story

One of the objectives for the South East regional Government’s Plan for Sustainable Farming and Food, is to support new entrants to farming with training and mentoring.

The Netherfield Centre have designed a training and support programme
to meet the needs of both established farmers and growers and those who are new to farming.

For example:
Although growing up and working in East Sussex making his living from
the land with his ground-working business, new entrant Richard and his family had not previously been involved in farming until they purchased a
100 acre holding in 2004.

The farm in the south of East Sussex has small sloping fields and ancient hedgerows so synonymous of this area. Additionally there is about
20 acres of grazing on the Pevensey Levels. Simon Bishop of
The Netherfield Centre carried out a number of farm visits, providing
advice on sustainable farming systems. see pictures

As part of the mentoring by The Netherfield Centre and its programme of support for new entrants to farming a small breeding herd of Sussex Cattle (cows, heifers and calves at foot) was found for Richard to purchase.
see pictures

Richard was then in need of training to learn the best way to care for his stock and as a result attended The Netherfield Centre's "Starting a Beef Herd", "Grassland Management", and "Managing a Beef Herd"
training courses.

Keen to follow organic principals Richard has also decided to put his land into organic conversion. This required advice and support, particularly in preparing the farm’s conversion plan from The Netherfield Centre.

June 2005, Richard Benge’s first Sussex calf was born. see pictures

If our mentoring programme could help you, please email simon@thenetherfieldcentre.co.uk in the first instance outlining your situation.