The Clumps Farmer Cluster

Who are we?

The Clumps Farmer Cluster was started at the end of 2023 and is a group of 10 farms located around the Wittenham Clumps, covering just over 5000 hectares. Wild Oxfordshire are proud to facilitate the Cluster and support the group in making its ambitions a reality.

The Cluster is working together to farm in more sustainable ways that are better for wildlife, local communities and farming businesses. We are funded by DEFRA’s Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund which supports us to host training events to allow our members to learn about and develop the skills needed to transition to more sustainable farming practices. By working together, we can have a much greater positive impact that operates at a landscape scale not just at a farm scale.

Our Vision

The Clumps Farmer Cluster envision a future landscape where we have:

• Bigger and better habitats for farmland birds and other wildlife
• Healthy soils that store carbon and produce healthy food
• Clean and healthy waterways that benefit people and wildlife
• Local communities that are more connected to farming and the countryside
• Thriving farming businesses

What are we doing?

The Clumps Farmer Cluster host regular training events for its members to support them to transition to more sustainable ways of farming. We are also working with neighbouring clusters, The Ock Catchment Farmer Cluster and The Upper Thames Farmer Cluster to increase networking opportunities and farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange. Training events have included the following topics:

• Biodiversity Net Gain: Making BNG work for your farming business
• The Farm Carbon Toolkit: Understanding carbon emissions on farms and how to reduce them
• Healthy Hedgerows: Establishing and managing hedgerows for wildlife
• Government grant updates and how to best apply them to your farm
• The Weatherproof Farm: Increasing farm resilience to unpredictable weather
• Dung Beetles: Getting to the bottom of healthy pastures.

Supporting your local farmers

You don’t have to be a farmer to support wildlife in farmland. Here are a few ways you can support the countryside and your local farmers:‍

Follow the countryside code:

• Respect Everyone
  
  • Be considerate to those living in, working in and enjoying the countryside
  • Leave gates and property as you find them
  • Do not block access to gateways or driveways when parking
  • Be nice, say hello, share the space
  • Follow local signs and keep to marked paths unless wider access is available

• Protect the Environment
  
  • Take your litter home – leave no trace of your visit
  • Do not light fires and only have BBQs where signs say you can
  • Always keep dogs under control and in sight
  • Keep dogs on leads around livestock and during the bird breeding season
  • Dog poo – bag it and bin it in any public waste bin or take it home
  • Care for nature – do not cause damage or disturbance

• Enjoy the Outdoors
  
  • check your route and local conditions
  • plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do
  • enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory
  • Visit your local farmers market or farm shop.
  • Learn more about farming and share your knowledge with others.
  • Submit your wildlife sightings to TVERC.

More information

For more information about the Clumps Farmer Cluster contact Sophie Cunnington, the Cluster Facilitator.

We are keen to welcome new members to the cluster. If you are a farmer/land manager in the area and are interested in being involved, please contact Sophie. Sophie Cunnington: Sophie@wildoxfordshire.org.uk

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