HFG and the Environment

pictures coming soon!!

Farming around 5000 acres, we are very keen to contribute in a positive way to the conservation and enhancement of the beautiful English countryside we are lucky enough to farm.  Much of the land we farm is within the Countryside Stewardship and the Entry Level Environmental Scheme.  These schemes encourage farmers to build on the very best practice.  It rewards good land management and addresses some of the environmental issues affecting the wider countryside, including diffuse pollution, soil erosion and the preservation of farmland birds and wildlife.

Our farms are in the heart of Broadland, one of which actually incorporates Salhouse Broad and two others border the banks of the rivers Bure and Thurne, with marshes in Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

We over winter our stubbles, carryout good hedgerow management, have 2,4 and 6 metre buffer strips on our cultivated/rotational land, plant wild bird seed mixes, have rough grazing, take corners out of management and have permanent grassland with low or very low inputs.

We have a suckler herd of British White rare breed cattle and are in the early stages of developing a Gloucester Old Spot herd, both of which we hope will be for sale through our shops.

By doing what we do, we know that:

  • we are reducing carbon emissions, congestion, food wastage and packaging
  • we are supporting the local economy and safeguarding employment, so building a stronger and more prosperous local economy
  • we are encouraging communication between the agricultural community, our customers, suppliers and growers
  • we are encouraging our customers and others to eat and enjoy food from our own seasonal calender
  • we are sustaining the beautiful Norfolk landscape, by having the right people farming it - knowledge built up over generations about how to work the land and look after the wildlife.

At Broad Farm, Salhouse, the management of the Broad is now carried out to enhance relationships with the local community, as well as providing an educational resource for all ages.  This is done through quizzes, moth evenings, habitat creation, disabled access and a play area with natural willow sculptures. Throught the ferry service, an access has been provided to Hoveton Great Broad, Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is managed by Natural England; another example of working together to promote a better environment.

We have two orchards - one at White House Farm, Sprowston and the other at Garden Farm, Blofield, where we also have a Millennium orchard which was planted in 2000 with old Norfolk apple varieties.

We have bee hives on two of our farms and hope to extend this further very soon.

We encourage recycling and have recycling banks at both our farm shop sites, which include bottle banks and cardboard and paper banks.  We recycle all our waste cardboard at HFG Blofield.  We ask our customers to re-use their egg boxes, carrier bags or use on of our empty boxes. 

Our 'Bags for Life' in store now!