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Press Release from LANTRA:

PRINCES OF THE PLOUGH SELL TRADITIONAL FARMING METHODS

The benefits of traditional, sustainable, carbon neutral farming methods have been showcased at a special event held by the Cornish Heritage Farming Company at Treloan Coastal Heritage Farm, near Truro.

Over 60 people attended the training event. During a day-long programme attendees gained an insight into working with horses and ponies during the farming calendar and were treated to a series of demonstrations and lectures by David Jones and Robert Eddy of Cornish Horse Power.

Robert Eddy’s Trenuggo Shires ploughed the farmland and Mike Elford brought his Shires’ team with plough, cultivator and hitch cart. David Jones of Cornwall Country Carriages showed the opportunities for smaller equines in agriculture with the help of his Dartmoor pony and donkey team undertaking cultivations. Attendees learned of the merits of low impact, low carbon methods and the importance of keeping traditional practices alive.

The event was originally intended for Cornish farmers and enthusiasts but interest was so great the invitation was extended across the Tamar into Devon.

The emphasis of the day was to raise interest, inspire people to adopt traditional techniques that work alongside modern methods and make people aware of the relevant training opportunities available.

Treloan owner Victor Barry said: “I wanted to show a small scale farm being cultivated and to help keep traditional methods alive. Today is also a chance for everyone to find out how the Transition Network helps communities to reduce carbon emissions.”

The event costs were funded by the Skills Funding Agency through Business Forward, an ESF (European Social Fund) Convergence project, so all learners could attend for free.

Verity Biddick, Business Forward Broker, said: “We are delighted this event has attracted so much interest. Many of the people here today want to learn how to use their own horses and ponies for farm work. The funding has enabled us to offer free places to all attendees so everyone here can benefit from some funded training support to learn these valuable traditional skills.”

Duchy College is a strong supporter of traditional farming methods and took a group of 4th year Animal Care students to the event. Two of those students were Sarah Barber of Truro and Verity Reed of Penzance, both 19, who are planning to run a small-holding together when they leave college.

Sarah Barber said: “You lose so much using modern methods, including the art of farming in partnership with your horses. Traditional ways also cost much less and it’s sustainable.”

Verity Reed said: “I’m very interested in the methods being demonstrated and discussed today. You get to know your land and your animals much better farming in this way.”

Lindsay Southcombe attended the event on behalf of Transition Truro, a support network to help the local community adapt to the challenges of climate change and engage in sustainable solutions.

“I feel I learned a lot from today,” she said. “I was so impressed by the horses, pony and especially by the donkey as well as their owners. I think it is great that there is such a strong movement in Cornwall towards sustainable farming methods.”

Head of Provider Accounts for the Skills Funding Agency, Mark Williams said: “Farming plays a fundamental part in Cornwall’s past, present and future and Business Forward gets help directly to the heart of the industry. My family and I have always kept Shires on our farm and I am delighted that the benefits of these traditional and sustainable future skills are being reignited in Cornwall.”

Business Forward offers up to 100% funding and is exclusively available to rural businesses based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly working in agriculture, animal care or technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game conservation, land-based engineering, horticulture, landscaping, sports turf, forestry and veterinary nursing. Both employers and employees can benefit from the programme.

For more information, visit www.businessforward.org.uk

For more information about the Cornish Heritage Farming Company, contact Victor or Liz at Treloan
01872 580888. - Well monitored answer service.
07855 187769. - No messages or texts please.
01326 279200 - Home

Our small scale farming and organic food production calendar includes:

• Spring sowing programme
• Harvesting programme
• Steam threshing programme
• Winter working programme and annual festival (usually Oct half term weekend)

Photos of activities throughout the working year can be viewed on our picture gallery.

Organic Small Scale Farming - a UK farmer writes

Progressio - people powered development

Curlew Media - Writer and broadcaster Mary Colwell.
Article by Mary Colwell about Treloan - Faith on the Farm

National Transition Network

Justice and Peace network

Exeter University

Duchy College

Transition Truro , Transition Falmouth

Think YOU could handle a team at work?

Come and learn about the Transition Movement to the ultimate ‘LOW OR NIL CARBON FOOTPRINT’ food production, on the beautiful Roseland Peninsula Coast.

Harvest 2009
This was a spectacular event and was amply aided by fourteen Shire horses and ponies. Not a tractor in sight! The farm is a very special one that has always been organic and used traditional farming practices and machinery. 

The horses were present for the mums and children to get to know and delighted all. Refreshments were on hand for the peckish.

These events are held to make people aware of the unique training courses, finally ready to take place this autumn, after years of hard work by all involved. This includes work over the six months of winter 08/09 with LANTRA, the government training body for all land based industries, at Stoneleigh Agricultural Showground, Coventry, putting the needs of ‘the Farm Working Horse and Pony’ into 12 new modules to be incorporated into the QCF programme. For further information on these courses, please contact us.

Press Release from Duchy College:

WORKING HORSES - 24TH April 2009 - Cornish Horse Power

Quote from Andrew Counsell, Principal, Duchy College, Cornwall

“I think it is absolutely excellent that those involved with traditional working horses are looking to develop qualifications in this area. The strength of the working horse community in Cornwall is exceptional and it is really pleasing that those with the skills involved are using them to allow younger people to learn and develop these traditional skills. As part of a national scheme, led by LANTRA, the Sector Skills Council we should be able to protect these dying skills and engage young people. 

Having been involved with this group for a number of years, there is tremendous enthusiasm and desire to pass on knowledge and skills.

The event held recently at Portscatho was well attended and an excellent example of everyone being able to work together. I am sure as time goes on and as we continue to develop the whole area, then working horses will once again be seen not only locally and regionally but also nationally. The College looks forward to continuing to support this agenda.

More details from Victor Barry or Liz (victor@treloancoastalheritagefm.orangehome.co.uk), 01872 580888/ 07855 187769, or Cornish Horse Power (www.cornishhorsepower.com)

Drawing attention to the Transition Network.org for information on how to reduce our carbon footprint on local food production options and any other carbon elements, e.g. energy, etc.

Whether it be for a return visit or your first we look forward to welcoming you to

TRELOAN ..... THE FARM WHICH TAKES OUR PAST INTO YOUR FUTURE.