Red Rubies roam West Cornwall (From Falmouth Packet)

Red Rubies roam West Cornwall

3:50pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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The National Trust has embarked on a pioneering project to assess the true cost of managing a farm for the benefit of wildlife and yet also remaining economically viable. Thanks to funding from The Tubney Charitable Trust, the National Trust has acquired Trevean Farm – a coastal farm with strong nature conservation potential, consisting of 73 hectares of marginal farmland in West Penwith, on the Land’s End peninsula in Cornwall.

The land will be managed organically with a focus on encouraging UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitats and species such as the Greater Horseshoe Bat and the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary Butterfly.

The Trust’s immediate priority has been establishing a small organic herd of pedigree Red Devon cattle. The cattle are the cornerstone of the project – grazing the land and cliffs and within three years, the Trust hopes to sell the beef to local restaurants and direct to the consumer.

Red Devon cattle are sufficiently hardy to thrive on rough grazing, docile enough to be easily handled and produces high quality beef. Red Devons are one of the earliest breeds of domesticated cattle in the British Isles which will fit in well with the historical landscape in West Penwith.

Trevean Farm House has been fitted with Solar Panels to supply hot water. To further reduce dependency on fossil fuels the house has had new double glazed windows installed and been insulated with thick lambs wool insulation.

Jon Brookes, The Trust’s Property Manager for West Penwith explains: “This really is an exciting and groundbreaking project. It’s the first of its kind for the Trust and we hope that it will yield significant results which will not only benefit the way the Trust works, but also the wider farming community.”

The way in which the farm will be administered will also be unique. A National Trust Farm Manager** will manage the day to day running of the farm and work closely with local farmers, education groups and the general public.

Guy Clegg, the newly appointed Farm Manager who has been farming for the last 10 years and has a background in ecology and conservation, believes: "The project has the potential to point the way forward with a more holistic approach to countryside management and will incorporate a high degree of self sufficiency in terms of both food production and energy production. As a result the Trevean Farm project has a huge education potential for land managers, farmers, schools and the general public who are increasingly concerned with issues of conservation, local food production and sustainability."

The Trust has also recently secured a generous financial donation from the Tanner Trust to help with the purchase of a large geodesic dome tent to host a range of activities for visiting school groups. The donation will also cover the purchase of a polytunnel and bee hive which will enhance the sustainable credentials of the project in terms of seasonal food production and to provide further educational opportunities.

The Trust will be offering walks and talks on and around the farm at certain times throughout the year, so check the Trust’s regional events leaflet and the Trust’s website for updates.

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