CAfS partner work with farmers in Cumbria continues as we look for ways we can support this vital sector to reduce it’s carbon footprint.  Our next project is calling on upland farmers to come forward for a study exploring land use issues led by Dr Peter Gittins, an upland farmer from the University of Leeds. 

This research is seeking to interview upland beef and sheep farmers in Cumbria, Yorkshire, and Exmoor to give their views on approaches towards ELMs, (environmental land management schemes) net zero, and any constraints or barriers they may be facing. We want to speak to farmers who may be anxious about the future, or unsure about what new policies mean for them. You may also be seeking further information about ELMs and other support schemes available. The findings will feed into ongoing academic research into the effects of new Land Use Policies and will also be used to create a policy brief. All outputs will be shared with participants once published.

For more information and to take part in the research, please email Dr Peter Gittins at p.gittins@leeds.ac.uk or call on 07480135127.

And look out for another project we will soon be launching: Farmhouse Retrofit. We will support farmers who want sustainable solutions in reducing emissions associated with their domestic energy use. We know from other project work with farmers that this is an area that can be overlooked as they are focused on sustaining a viable farm business.

To find out how we support farmers to find sustainable ways to lower their carbon footprint or to learn more about the research with upland farmers into land use you can contact our dedicated Farm Carbon Project Manager: roe.baker@cafs.org.uk – or take a look at  Farming for a Future here.

Zero Carbon Cumbria has more information regarding the carbon footprint of Cumbrian farming and land use on their sector group pages.