Forty Farms - Conversations about change in the landscapes of Cumbria

Product Information

Over the course of a year, Amy conducted frank conversations with the farmers about the financial challenge of farming; about the tightrope balance of producing quality food in a nature-rich landscape; and about the highs and lows of working in area, known, and loved internationally. A Northern lass, born and bred in Manchester, Helen has been back in her home town for 13 years after working in London for The Times and a number of other national newspapers. Forty Farms offers a unique insight into the hopes, fears and everyday lives of 40 extraordinary farmers across Cumbria. With contributions from, among others, best-selling author James Rebanks and L’Enclume’s Simon Rogan, veteran damson grower Harley Trotter and ‘king of the Herdwicks’ Anthony Hartley,Forty Farms offers a unique insight into the everyday lives, fears and hopes of 40 extraordinary farmers, through photography, film and words. I’ve turned significant commissions down as I can't travel to far flung places or have the ease of working to my own schedule.

The book has evolved into the Forty Farms Exhibition, offering a unique insight into the everyday lives, fears and hopes of 40 extraordinary farmers, through photography, products, film and words to create an immersive experience. There will be times when part of the Forty Farms exhibition can’t be viewed temporarily because the learning centre is being used for an activity. A Lake District farm has welcomed the birth of a "rare" set of triplet lambs for only the third time in 18 years. From the Herdwick-grazed Lake District commons to the big-sky Solway marshes; from isolated farmsteads unchanged in generations to businesses at the cutting-edge of innovation; from world-class sheep breeders to award-winning cheese-makers, the Forty Farms exhibition is a visual record of farming at a period of profound change.I remember having lessons on style in evening classes and I always thought, “How am I ever going to create a style? In the exhibition and accompanying book, we journey across Cumbria from the Herdwick-grazed Lake District commons to the open expanses of the Solway marshes; from isolated farmsteads unchanged for generations to businesses leading the charge in innovation and sustainable farming; from world-class sheep breeders to award-winning food producers. Croft Foot (Amy Bateman’s farm) ; Strickley ; Cannerhaugh Farm ; Croglin High Hall ; Meg Bank ; Brackenburgh ; Piper Hole.

Coming from a farming background myself, I think I’m in a unique position to have honest conversations with those in the frontline of change and also to capture the character and landscape on my camera too. Images from the book also form the basis for a major FREE exhibition in the Gallery at Rheged, Penrith, which runs until 04th January 2023. By completing the form with your details on this page, you are agreeing to have this information sent to the NFU for the purposes of contacting you regarding your enquiry. A Lake District farm is set to appear in BBC’s flagship countryside show Countryfile on Sunday 15th August at 6. The exhibition is accompanied by a 320-page hardback coffee table book Forty Farms, published by David Felton at Inspired by Lakeland.It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.

Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The photographs captured by Bateman tell the compelling stories of 40 farmers as they go about their day-to-day lives in one of the UK ’ s best loved mountain landscapes, the Lake District. I left my own Physiotherapy clinic, patients, staff and career to look after my three girls and help run our working farm. The accompanying conversations with farmers – often frank, sometimes funny, and occasionally painful – reflect the critical issues facing farming today. A lot of people generally overlook the animals and consider them just part of the bigger composition.Simon and Our Farm are honoured to be a part of ‘Forty Farms - Conversations about change in the landscapes of Cumbria’. Along the way Amy journeys from the Herdwick-grazed Lake District commons to the big-sky Solway marshes; from isolated farmsteads unchanged in generations to businesses at the cutting-edge of innovation; from world-class sheep breeders to award winning cheesemakers, capturing a visual record of farming during a period of profound change.