Michael Morpurgo's 'Farms for city children' takes a major step forward
A 'little powerful pocket of nature' has been planted at a farm in Devon
Last updated 9th Feb 2024
Devon-based Children’s author Michael Morpurgo – known for penning books such as Birthday Duck and War Horse – is now involved in real life story of children, farming and nature on a farm in the county,
The Woodland Trust is working with Farms for City Children, a charity founded by Michael and his wife, Clare, on a unique “roundel” scheme - connecting city children with nature and farming.
They say 'these roundels are like little powerful pockets of nature – rather like stepping stones of biodiversity- that are dotted across a field.
"They are temporary enclosures containing trees and shrubs that will, in time, allow cattle access to forage and browse, whilst also finding shelter.
"Each will be ‘adopted’, planted and cared for by a visiting school, and the hope is that the children will feel connected to a piece of natural habitat of their own making throughout their adult life and go on to inspire other children with their story."
Eleanor Lewis, Outreach Manager at the Woodland Trust, which provided the trees and know how, said: "This is a really special project. Even though we increasingly know the vital role trees and shrubs play for both habitat and animal welfare, it can be tricky to integrate them into farming systems. Rather than planting isolated trees which is expensive due to the protective fencing, by grouping trees and shrubs Roundels create a more immediate canopy, for a significantly lower price per tree, whilst also providing numerous benefits including shade, shelter and food.
“It’s great that we can involve kids with such an innovative project. There can be a real disconnect between people and nature. This project aims to break down those barriers. This project will provide a place for children to connect with nature and have pride with what they have created. In time we hope it inspires them to develop a love for the natural world which is so important when you consider the bigger issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Clare Morpurgo developed the charity with her writer husband Sir Michael, to give children chance to experience life on a farm.
Michael said: “To walk through a wood, to listen and to see the wind in the trees, to touch the bark of a tree, and to plant a tree, is to join hands with nature, to feel a deep sense of belonging. Many of the 100,000 city children who have come for a week of farming, of living in the countryside, have felt for the first time that precious connection between us and the world about us. Once felt it is never forgotten. A seed is planted.”
Donna Marie Edmonds, Chief Executive of Farms for City Children said: “This is something very tangible for a young person. To know that they are doing good for their planet, for the farm, for the animals, for the nature that exists all around, and for the future generations of children who will make a visit to the charity from that same school community - that is something very special. You are helping us to create legacy impact. This might just be the activity completed on the farm that sets a young person on a future path that brings them into a career in agriculture or conservation.”
On 9 November 2023 Morpurpogo was awarded an honorary doctorate at University of Plymouth, after writing almost all of his 150 books in the county of Devon.
Planting started at Nethercott Farm, near Winkleigh, in January. Adam Bratt, Farm Operations Manager said: “I am hopeful that establishing trees (and specifically wood pasture habitat) on our farm will benefit our livestock, local biodiversity and have a lasting impact on our visiting young people. Working with Mick from the Woodland Trust and the Trees for Your Farm project team has allowed us to receive the technical and financial support to trial an innovative way of establishing trees and we are excited to see the benefits of this project develop over time!
"Roundels are created around a central tree which will develop into a broad, open crowned feature of the farm over time, each with surrounding shrubs which will effectively create substantial ‘instant’ habitat in the space that the tree will eventually occupy in 75 to 100 years.
"It can be a challenge integrating trees on farms at a reasonable cost. These are relatively simple to plant, deliver multiple benefits over a long period of time, and can be easily replicated and adjusted to suit soil types, farm outputs and variation of livestock.
"They allow cattle to extend their range, feed options and provide an ‘island’ or ‘stepping stone’ for wildlife across otherwise open areas. There are other benefits, such as providing a source of pollen and berries for wildlife and firewood, charcoal or woodchip to benefit farm enterprises."
The Woodland Trust is funding the trees for the project which is part of their Trees for Your Farm project, backed by Sainsburys. All trees are sourced and grown in the British Isles via the Woodland Trust’s UKISG scheme.