Sheila Mason, Keasden Head Farm
F
arming is a 365-days a year vocation requiring tremendous energy, commitment and determination. Farming is at the heart of the Forest of Bowland’s predominantly rural economy and the landscape looks and functions the way it does in part due to the efforts of the area’s farmers. The changing seasons inevitably dictate most farmers’ workload, with the available hours of daylight playing a pivotal role in what gets done and when. During the winter months, modern farming is on the whole less labour intensive, but during the summer months, a 12-hour day is often standard – farmers don’t get overtime!
The Farming Seasons
But the amount of daylight is just one of the natural cycles of the seasons that dictate the farming schedule. Read on as we document a year in the life of a handful of Bowland farmers: their trials and tribulations and the triumphs and tragedies along the way.
Some of the farms featured are profiled farms from our website which provide opportunities for educational and group visits.
www.forestofbowland.com/ farm-profiles In order to help groups take advantage of this resource, we have a Farm Visit Transport Fund, run by Champion Bowland on behalf of the AONB. Visit:
www.forestofbowland.com/ Farm-Visit-Transport-Fund www.forestofbowland.com 24 © Graham Cooper
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Bell Sykes Farm
