51AVÊÓƵ

We were taken in by a wonderful farming family who rented us a cottage and, over the past 12 months, we have found this rural community to be tremendously welcoming.

From our neighbours who have lived on Exmoor all their lives to the local shopkeeper, we have been welcomed by all and we cannot quite imagine not living here and being part of the community.

Valuable

I think as farmers and rural dwellers we can sometimes take for granted how valuable the connections we make between each other are, especially as times change.

We need to look at how we can work together. Especially as times change, we need to look at how we can work together.

I do not quite know where I would be without my WhatsApp discussion groups.

We were invited to attend a ‘51AVÊÓƵfor the Future' workshop hosted by the NFU, where they talked about Basic Payment Scheme replacements and the various grants available.

While there is justifiable frustration at the speed of the Environmental Land Management scheme roll out, there is no doubt that the Sustainable Farming Incentive with its flexible terms, stickability, quicker payments and ability to upgrade annually is much better than previous schemes.

The introduction of Countryside Plus, which will reward farmers working together, is an exciting update as well. If you have not already got involved in yours, it is well worth a look at.

Earlier this month we spread my father's ashes where he had been a reserve warden at RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk during the 1970s.

The reserve back then was devoid of health and safety and he regaled us with stories of hides up ladders and boat trips in the reed beds.

I can think of no better place than for him to return to the landscape than there. It has been 12 months since we left Sussex and I am hopeful that by the next column I write we will have completed on a permanent home for the family and a restart of our farming adventures that began 10 years ago when I bought two pigs with my student loan.