BugsAtWork

BugsAtWork is part of the Stockbridge Technology Centre Research Foundation (STCRF). STCRF consists of a 180 acre farm set up around 5 years ago as an independent trials organisation with Technology Transfer as a key aim of the business. Trials are undertaken on all glasshouse and field vegetable crops for independent companies and government funded bodies.

In addition to undertaking trials the remainder of the estate is farmed as a commercial venture with the environment and sustainability underpinning all production. We are already in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and we are registered for the Entry Level Scheme.  With this in mind we are further enhancing the ecology of the whole farm to increase its sustainability which may help us to achieve future UK and EU policy changes.

Science based project for the benefit of everyone.

Science based projects incorporating field beetle banks and flower margins are currently in progress with collaborating science partners. These projects aim to quantify the build up of beneficial insects on vegetable crops and evaluate the potential for reducing pesticide use - an area where there is very little information.  In addition to this work, we want to increase such areas to a whole farm approach utilising field margins and uncropped areas where we can sow wildflowers and plant trees and shrubs to allow these insects to flourish and overwinter in abundance.  The benefit to other wildlife should also be significant. We intend to take this scientifically collected information and make it available to the public in an easily understood format.

How will we Achieve this?

• The farm will be open for interested groups to receive a tour around an ecologically enhanced site. Wild flower blocks and strips and whole farm tree and shrub planting will show how we can attract beneficial insects and how they, in turn, will help reduce pesticides in our adjacent horticultural crops. We aim to demonstrate why British vegetables are best.

• We will have an Information Centre with collaborating organisations.  Information will be based around LEAF, FWAG, Farm Assurance Schemes, Traceability, Pesticide Usage, Pesticide Residues, FACE and Red Tractor. We want the public to be aware of the contributions made by farmers and grower and we want to demonstrate just how good and safe British produce is.  An information officer will be available at all times and additional video presentations and a reference library are available on request.

• Children’s education will be catered for by a field-sized nature trail.  Part of the area will be divided into individual plantings to encourage specific insects.  Wildlife will also be included to increase interest.  Within these areas fruit and vegetables will be grown so that children can relate encouraging beneficial insects to growing with minimal pesticide usage.  The remainder of the area will be a wildflower meadow where children can follow a trail counting and identifying insects along the way.  All educational requirements will have been identified by FACE and included within this area.

• There will also be a Farm Shop and Tea Room – open during all visits.  The Farm Shop will be stocked with home grown vegetables and salads together with other locally grown produce and meat. We will also be offering a range of wild flower species as seen around the farm in small plugs for people to plant and enhance their own gardens.

Visitors

We invite all interested groups to arrange visits and tours.  We hope that all local educational schools and colleges will make visits to STCRF a regular part of their curriculum.  We will also consider opening to the general public on a Sunday afternoon if demand grows.

Contacting Us

We welcome any comments and/or involvement with our project whether education, supermarket, farmers and growers. If you are interested in our venture and would like to receive information about when we are open to visits, please contact us by sending an eMail to Julie Langdale at julielangdale@bugsatwork.co.uk

February 2006