The latest buzz – recognition for helping pollinators in Gloucestershire

Bentleys Castle Fruit Farm Orchard Bee

We are thrilled to announce that Castle Fruit Farm was recently awarded the 2017 Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) Silver Pintail Trophy in recognition of our commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and wildlife protection! This year, the Gloucestershire award was focused on creating food and habitats for pollinators, through a range of interventions and land management practices.  Over recent years, there has been a dramatic decline of bumblebees and other pollinators, and two bumblebee species have gone extinct since the start of the 20th century.

As a family business growing fruit and preparing hand-made apple and pear juice, we are committed to cultivating the land to ensure biodiversity for generations to come. This means that wherever possible we use natural, biological and cultural methods to control pest, disease and weeds thus minimising the use of agrochemicals.

The farm, near Newent in north Gloucestershire, has a microclimate that is ideal for orchard fruit. Stonefruit, in particular, can be affected by early frosts and the form and situation of Castle Fruit Farm enable the reliable production of plums and gages. Pollination is key to good cropping in orchard fruit, and pollinators are key to the health of the ecosystem, supporting the lives of many other species. The diversity of pollen and nectar flowers, combined with overwintering habitat, are vital for maintaining good insect numbers. To this end, we are doing the following:

• Rotational hedgerow cutting, every two or three years, to yield more and varied spring blossom
• Improving diversity in the shelter belts by including maple, hazel, goat and grey willow, wild privet and small-leaved lime
• Establishing more wildflower species in any undisturbed areas
• Drilling clover, and other hardy leguminous herbs into grass alleys
• Leaving every alternate orchard row unmown to encourage the diversity of plants and habitats for insects
• Planting goat willow around the lakes
• Woodpiles and other overwintering materials are left where they will not be disturbed to provide habitat for fauna and insects
• We have established a species-rich pollen and nectar mix in the middle of an orchard area

A study has already shown that there are high numbers of pollinators in our orchards.

We are doing many other things, too, such as experimenting with the use of wood chips to prevent soil erosion and using locally sourced green waste compost to improve soil organic matter contents. We have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the cold store roofs and barn which contributes to a saving of electricity from the grid. A device has been installed in the farmhouse which diverts any surplus PV generated electricity into heating the water; in effect a way of storing energy. We are always open to receiving visitors and sharing our vision for sustainable fruit production with schools and community groups.

We will continue to create and improve habitats for beneficial insects within the orchard and continue our policy of developing diverse habitats in and around our orchards.

You can read more about the FWAG Silver Pintail Trophy here.

Support our efforts in sustainable farming by purchasing our delicious fruit and cold-pressed juices from our Farm Shop today!