The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2018 - Issue 54 | Page 44

44 FAIRCHILDS LODGE DEC/JAN 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk FARMING’S NO FUNNY BUSINESS On the outskirts of Caldecott, in Rutland, lies a farm situated in 250 hectares of beautiful countryside. Fairchilds Lodge has been farmed by the Brown family for over 130 years, making the family one of the country’s longest serving tenant farmers. The farm is currently run and managed by Andrew Brown, whose family have been farming in the Welland Valley, Rutland for over 300 years. Jason recently caught with Andrew for a chat about Fairchilds and farming life in general. THE farm consists of 250 hec- tares, which is portioned into 60% arable, growing a variety of crops that includes wheat, beans and barley. Whilst the remaining 40% is given over to permanent pasture which is rented out locally. In 2000 Andrew and Fairch- ilds Lodge became involved in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Andrew has always been interested in conservation and could see the economic benefits in becoming involved in the scheme. Since joining, 23 hectares have been taken out of production to grow wild bird seed. Andrew has also planted a 3-hectare community wood- land with the help of local scouts and school children, as well as installing a permissive bridleway. The farm also has an ancient oak tree, which was hit by an Avro Lancaster Bomber during WW2. The plane travelled a further 20 miles before crashing near North- ampton. Over the years the farm has won several awards which have included, ‘the Beautiful Farm