Often thought of as simply ‘shutting the gate’ on a piece of land, farming consultant Jim Bliss explains why rewilding requires an active approach in the UK, while regenerative agronomist Hugo Ellis describes it as driving for balance and diversity in habitats and farm enterprises. And livestock, they say, are essential. On his Nuffield travels, Jim Bliss saw some spectacular examples of what he calls ‘passive’ rewilding, where stock had been removed from the land and nature returned – Patagonia National Park being one. But the UK doesn’t have the space to take this approach. “So, it's much better to have active rewilding, which does involve farming, just in a more nuanced way, where it's all about diversity,” says Jim.
Read MoreSupporting the community
Rural communities are at the heart of Cornish Mutual and we are committed to supporting the farms, businesses and charities around us.
From organising training and fundraising events to volunteering, we have an ambition to create a safe environment for the farming community across the South West.
See what we have been getting up to...
04 Feb
Rewilding
30 Jan
New Year brings elevated commitment to the South West
Cornish Mutual has been putting farmers and the wider farming community across the South West at the heart of all it does since 1903. And the start of 2025 takes this to a new level.
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30 Jan
Are you and your team trained to do the job at hand?
You and everyone who works for you needs to know how to work safely and without putting themselves at risk. This includes contractors and the self-employed working on your farm. Adequate information and training are essential parts of an employers’ health & safety obligations and should be part of your farm health & safety policy.
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13 Jun
Local students awarded Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries
Six agricultural students in the South West have been awarded Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries, with one of them also winning the prestigious Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year award.
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18 Oct
Why women are needed if farming is to survive
Professor Sally Shortall has studied farming families around the world and her view remains the same. Women are vital for successful farming businesses but continue to be an under-valued resource.
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18 Oct
Inspire, network, grow
Struck by the lack of women working alongside her in the meat industry, Laura Ryan set up Meat Business Women in 2015. It is now a global phenomenon.
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18 Oct
How storytelling helps build industry resilience
Featuring in an episode of our Farming Focus podcast, BBC journalist Anna Jones and communications specialist Kendra Hall explain why storytelling and public relations is vital to the industry’s future.
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22 Feb
Molly Leigh awarded Bicton College Young Farmer Bursary
Molly Leigh's application secured her the 2022 Bicton College Young Farmer Bursary - find out more about Molly's entry into farming and her plans for the future.
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21 Feb
Bridgwater & Taunton College Young Farmer Bursary awarded to Grace Harding
Grace Harding has won our 2022 Bridgwater & Taunton College Young Farmer Bursary - find out more about Grace's farming ambitions here.
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