Farming & Forestry - Introduction

Agriculture and forestry are extremely important, both in the past and as a current influence on landscape character, earth heritage, and the historic and natural environments. Farmers and land managers have a major role to play in continuing to conserve and enhance the AONB. There is a need to raise awareness of the importance of traditional land management practice to the landscape.

More than 80% of the land area of the AONB is farmed, and large areas are covered in broadleaved woodland and coniferous plantations. The future of the Island’s finest landscapes is linked to the economic well-being of the farming community and viability of woodland management.

The majority of farmland in the AONB is privately owned and managed, whether by individual landowners and farmers, tenants or non-governmental organisations such as the National Trust, or by other conservation organisations such as Wight Wildlife, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Woodland Trust and Wight Nature Fund. The new duty of regard does not extend to such private individuals, organisations or charitable trusts. There is, therefore, a need to work closely with these important partners, to ensure that resources are made available to help to conserve and enhance the AONB, whilst providing a viable economic income for those who depend on income from their land. Changes to funding mechanisms and identification of new markets, may offer new ways to work with farmers, foresters and land managers to identify conservation and enhancement opportunities.

Island status and the cost of transport to access processing and markets on the mainland, have a major economic impact on the viability of farming and forestry within the AONB. Opportunities to create local processing and outlets for produce and products will reduce costs and potentially increase incomes.