Campaign for the Farmed Environment
The Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) is 3 year initiative aimed at benefiting
farmland wildlife through positive land 
management measures.
Launched in November 2009 by Defra Secretary of State Hilary Benn, the Campaign is working to encourage all farmers to voluntarily adopt land management practices that will protect natural resources and enhance farmland wildlife.
Earlier this year, a local liaison group was established to promote the Campaign in Hampshire; one of the target counties. The Trust is a member of this group, which is chaired by local farmer Nick Rowsell and co-ordinated by Peter Thompson of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, and is calling on all farmers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to do their bit.
Farmers are being asked to join Environmental Stewardship (ES) if they don't already participate, and existing ES agreement holders should renew and improve their agreements. A broad menu of voluntary options is open to those who choose not to enter ES. Trust land advisers are on hand to offer advice and assistance to farmers wanting get involved and to help them choose the options best for their particular farm.
Farmers are then asked to record their actions on an easy online survey form on the Campaign website.
So is the Campaign working? The answer is it has made significant steps towards achieving its targets, but it has a way to go yet and every farmer needs to get involved if it is to be a success.
Visit http://www.cfeonline.org.uk/ and click on the Hampshire button to learn more about our local Campaign activities and the beacon farmers willing to show what they have done already.
