The RSPB's Hope Farm at 25

The RSPB bought Hope Farm, a conventional arable farm close to  Cambridge, in 2000, with the aim of developing and trialling farming techniques which produce food cost effectively and benefit wildlife at the same time.

Come and find out about the reality of nature-friendly farming. Georgie, the farm's manager, will tell us about 25 years of managing an arable farm for nature and food. She will touch on the research they have done, the results they can demonstrate and the bumps experienced along the road.

Georgie plans to "talk through some of the changes to management at Hope Farm in the last 25 years, changes to wildlife, and also reflect on how the focus of farming both at Hope Farm and the wider industry has changed in that time. We'll look at the impact the farm has had beyond the farm gate, in policy, with farmers, with other environmental organisations in advice, and whilst trying to engage the public and RSPB members more in nature-friendly farming."

After demonstrating that you can have an abundance of wildlife with a profitable arable farm (between 2000 and 2011, the farmland bird index tripled), the RSPB progressed to look at more large-scale research for improved soil, crops and wildlife habitat without taking land out of production. 

So, come along to learn about the changes to management at Hope Farm in the last 25 years, changes to wildlife, and reflect on how the focus of farming has changed in that time.

Georgina Bray, Farm Manager

Doors open at 7pm.