What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
It’s a fantastic vehicle to access projects that you won’t be able to access as an individual farm.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
The space and freedom it offers.
How long have you been farming?
About 50 years. I’m the 4th generation to farm this land.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The Landscape Recovery project- it will enable us to not only solidify our connectivity but also help us market ourselves as individuals.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The realisation that you aren’t alone in your values and that you are surrounded by likeminded people.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
The peace and quiet! How can you influence the landscape simply by doing very little. It’s surprising how quickly nature will return, even as an unintentional consequence.
How long have you been farming?
I was brought up on a farm I was feeding the livestock after school for as far back as I can remember. I took over from my father here in 1986.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The Landscape Recovery Project, it’s such a big project with long lasting impact. We can look to return the landscape to how it was from the map of Faden.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The ability to learn from others. There is so much opportunity for the Wensum Valley to become a hotspot, a hub for biodiversity.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
For me it’s been amazing to bring the children back to the farm and have them involved in daily farming life. It allows me to work from home, and to not be stuck behind a desk.
How long have you been farming?
I moved back 6 years ago with my family and I’m the 5th generation to farm this land.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The Landscape Recovery – honestly, the scope of opportunity for the project is endless.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
An awareness of the River Wensum and what we are doing/what weneed to do to protect it.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
The variety. I’m always doing something different!
How long have you been farming?
45 years.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
Anything to do with ponds. It’s great to see the tangible improvements to biodiversity, so quickly.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
We are stronger together as a community of like-minded individuals. The sharing of ideas and the feel good factor are also important.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
The variety of jobs we do on a daily basis, it’s such a rewarding job. Getting to witness the circle of life is very humbling.
How long have you been farming?
Both of us have been in farming our whole lives.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
We love getting involved with anything that benefits the farmland birds, this includes hedgerows, ponds, winter supplementary feeding etc. The Landscape recovery could be very exciting.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The sharing of knowledge.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
I love growing food, and I also feel very honoured to be able to own a slice of the countryside.
How long have you been farming?
30+ years and we are the 2nd generation to farm this land.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The latest project of restoring 15 ghost ponds in 2024 really excites me. Ponds are an underestimated asset.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
Collaboration, insight, support and ambition. The group drives us forward.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
Getting to be part of an industry which addresses global and local needs. Also getting to encounter beautiful things each day.
How long have you been farming?
My sister and I were brought up here and are now partners in the family business. We are both 4th generation.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
All of them! Although ponds and hedges are stand-outs for us.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The benefits of like minded individuals who share best practice. Plus there is a wonderful social aspect too.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
Not so much agriculture but I love it when all the hard work of organising a race day comes together. It feels like a military operation and there is such a rush when the day is a success.
How long have you been farming?
I’ve been working here at the racecourse for 26 years.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
Very keen to be working alongside Anglian Water to harness the run off from the sewage works for mutual gain. This will possitively impact the Wensum in such a great way.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The sharing of information and knowledge ( I love the WhatsApp group for this).
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
The conservation work; we get to have an impact on the countryside around us. Seeing that change certainly beats driving a combine!
How long have you been farming?
Second generation farmer and heve been here, farming this land for 30 years.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The Landscape Recovery project has lots of exciting potential, I’m also keen to positively influence the nutrients entering the river from the sewage treatment plants.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The community of likeminded individuals, all clubbing together for a worthwhile cause.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
My ability to be involved in long term, impactful environmental projects and to be able to witness the positive biodiversity effects.
How long have you been farming?
I was brought up on a farm, so as long as i could walk. I have been here at Sueenowe Estare for 24 years.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The Landscape Recovery project, as it is one with long term, long lasting effects. So when I retire, I can walk away knowing I have achieved something positive.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
A belief that we are doing the right thing and that we aren’t alone. The knowledge that other people share similar goals.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
Being able to be part of the discussion around large scale conservation and never knowing what you’ll see and discover next.
How long have you been farming?
Bill has lived here for 20 years and Richard has been involved in conservation (using agricultural practises) for over 35 years.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The Landscape Recovery project, it has next level conservation on a bigger scale.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
It’s been great to get to know everyone in the group (our neighbours) and also its fascinating learning from the guest speakers.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
There are so many good things! It’s wonderful to be able to have the ability to improve the landscape, plus it’s a great lifestyle where everyday is different.
How long have you been farming?
I’ve been directly involved for the last 5 years and I was a vet by trade prior to that. My brother and I are 2nd generation farmers.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
I’m really interested in the hedgerow work we are doing and the water quality improvements being undertaken.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The knowledge – getting to meet with experts, exchanging of ideas, and the inspiring positive community.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
Being a custodian of the countryside, getting to be outside every day and learning how to look after our landscape.
How long have you been farming?
We have been hands on since 2014, however it is the 3rd generation of Don family who live here. It used to be a fruit farm.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
The ones we are able to be directly involved in: ponds, hedges, woodland and field margins.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
Collaboration. We are a louder voice when we stand together.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
The freedom. I can make long term decisions and improvements and I’m my own boss.
How long have you been farming?
My whole life. I am the 3rd generation on this site and we were farmers in Scotland before this.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
I love the pond improvement work and anything to do with hedges and hedgerow connectivity.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
The social aspect is very important, plus the exchange of ideas and keeping up-to-date with innovative new techniques.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
Nature! I feel as though I have a symbiotic relationship with this countryside.
How long have you been farming?
My whole life. I am the 4th generation to farm or mill on this spot.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
I love all work involving pond restoration and hedgerows

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
We benefit massively from the knowledge exchange and the directional help with regards to grant applications.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
Having this green space available is such an asset for Brisley and the surrounding area. We love coming out here in the fresh air.
How long have you been farming?
The common was gifted to the Parish Council in 1992/93 so we have looked after it since then.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
Being lucky enough to have approximately 30 ponds on the common, we are always keen to explore new ways to rstore and enhance them.

What do you gain from being a part of the cluster group?
We are a large group of people working towards a common goal.
What’s the best thing about being involved in agriculture?
The freedom, independence and solitude. Getting to see a variety of wildlife on a regular basis.
How long have you been farming?
I’m a 2nd generation farmer and have been farming my whole life. We have been in Gateley for 40 years.
Which group project are you most looking forward to?
Anything that encourages birdlife, namely pond restoration and hedgerow enhancement.