@AgoftheWorld Tweets
For a week in July 2020, Nathan & Jason took over the @AgoftheWorld twitter account. They joined a worldwide community of farmers telling the story of their farms.
They discovered the twitter account because of the interesting posts by other farmers, helping build the knowledge & helping shape the future of @DeepdaleFarm.
Here are the tweets Nathan & Jason created during their week, a mix of views from the farm, a bit of history, quite a bit of excitement about regenerative agriculture & hedgerows, and some great new connections with fellow farmers.
Good morning from the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, England, & our farm @DeepdaleFarm. Both @mrnathannelson & myself @EarthlyIdeas will be tweeting this week, big thanks to @JLazySAngus for the invite. Sorry our tweets will be slightly wrong time zone for many of you. pic.twitter.com/otVB4DQBcH
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Our farm is right by the sea, overlooking the tidal harbour of Brancaster Staithe, so sea air, big skies, & weirdly one of the driest places in the UK (most of the time) despite all that water. We farm arable crops & tourists, while beginning the full on embrace of conservation. pic.twitter.com/12wGpdDJpd
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Covid-19 has made life interesting for last 4 months, with campsite & hostels closed. So was great to see partial return of visitors, as we reopened for motorhomes with their own facilities yesterday. @ChrisHaycock7 & our lovely tourism team welcomed our first visitors.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
In September 2019, my father Alister died, leaving void of personality & knowledge. Plan had been for @mrnathannelson to start this January & empty Dad’s brain of knowledge as he retired, sadly not to be. Instead we’ve the entertaining filing system, full of amazing info.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Been a really interesting year so far, with flooding in February due to most of our year’s rainfall all happening in one go, then Covid-19 lockdown, so its been a major baptism of fire for @mrnathannelson. The things that worried us when he started seem very minor now!
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Advantage of lockdown was more time to think about future of @DeepdaleFarm. Big changes coming down road with UK agriculture, our soil is knackered & both @mrnathannelson & I come from more tree hugging viewpoint. So we have decided to embrace Countryside Stewardship & organic.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Lots of debate about name of what we plan to do, Regenerative Agriculture seems to be catch all phrase. Essentially set-aside, cover crops, much larger wildlife areas. That will give chance for us to rest our soils, rebuilding the biomass. Inspired by Wilding and Dirt to Soil.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Huge thanks to everyone who has been so generous with their time, while @mrnathannelson & @EarthlyIdeas learn what to do with @DeepdaleFarm. Love that one connection leads to load more. @tim_hopkin @thelandapp @NorfolkFWAG @N_Rivers_Trust @LManagement20 @what3words & many others.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
So the debate at the moment is about when we are likely to start harvest. This year no barley, just wheat to bring in, 170 hectares. Stephen, one or our team, put money on 5 Aug, @JackRobinson80 thinks early August too, @mrnathannelson undecided …
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Guess depends what weather presents us. Lot of green still in fields, definitely nowhere near ready just yet. Will our wheat be milling quality? Probably won’t take risk, sell as feed wheat. Got to be big premium to make worth selling as milling, last year just few £s difference.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Evening everyone. Been a beautoful, but windy day at @DeepdaleFarm today, so no irrigating of carrots or potatoes, as the water doesn’t end up where you want it. Instead team have been finishing off barn prep for harvest & doing some DIY. pic.twitter.com/MKOiqyBr4E
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 5, 2020
Good morning from beautiful North Norfolk Coast. Our farm, @DeepdaleFarm is by the sea, salt marshes of Brancaster Staithe Harbour are on doorstep, so smell of salt is in the air. Lots of farming goes on out there, not by us, fishermen collect mussels, oysters, lobster & more. pic.twitter.com/5dd7nwxjSR
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
At start of each month the team of farm & campsite put together a podcast, chatting about world at & around @DeepdaleFarm, usually looking ahead at events coming up, getting excited about our music events, & chat about life on the farm. Covid-19 has out pay to most events …
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
… so @mrnathannelson & @EarthlyIdeas have been chatting all things farming & conservation instead. If you want to hear 2 bearded grown men getting overly excited about cover crops & regenerative agriculture, then please do have a listen to our podcast: https://t.co/1dbpZqK6LF
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
As tourism begins to re-open, North Norfolk Coast is waking up from its enforced slumber, going to be interesting to see what new normal is going forward. How have you been affected by lockdown (or no lockdown)? Our farm has continued pretty much same, just with more video calls!
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
To coin an old phrase, if you don’t like the weather in Norfolk now, wait a few minutes. It’s raining now, but only a couple of hours ago we had a beautiful sunny start to the day. We’ll start irrigating potatoes shortly when the wind dies down. pic.twitter.com/PkvtZkxXOD
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
In this part of Norfolk we have some of the lowest average rainfall in the UK, and weather forecasts of rain often amount to nothing. We had a very dry period in April and May, yet rainfall in January and February was higher than it had been for several years.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
Our @mrnathannelson blogged about some of the issues caused by heavy winter rainfall recently. https://t.co/4Pmw1za3n0
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
This is just one of the many reasons that we’ve been looking at regenerative practices on the farm – so that our soils have the resilience to deal with extremes of rainfall and drought.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
Curious to know whether farmers internationally call irrigation irritation? This isn’t supposed to be sprinkling water here. pic.twitter.com/6cttwvL0Pf
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
Today’s moment of relaxation is this local resident enjoying our irrigation pond. We’re fortunate to be able to draw on beautiful pure spring water for irrigation – what we don’t use goes out through a sluice gate and into the sea. pic.twitter.com/NjLTjHbPLv
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 6, 2020
So who listens to the radio while farming? Do you have a favourite local station that keeps you up to date with the weather, or a station that seems to mirror your mood with their play list?
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
Another beautiful morning here at @DeepdaleFarm Loving the cloud formations. https://t.co/9vBZStWmeU
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
In process of learning about regenerative agriculture for @DeepdaleFarm, @EarthlyIdeas & @mrnathannelson been doing lots of listening. Some fascinating podcasts out there, we’d love your suggestions too. What are you listening to? …
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
… @BBCFarmingToday must listen for UK farmers. @farmerama__ about regenerative agriculture. @RandRFarmingPod really interesting listen. @dewinggrain chat about markets. Investing in Regenerative Agriculture podcast by @KoenvanSeijen. And of course Crop It Like It’s Hot podcast.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
We’re sharing randomness from @DeepdaleFarm this week over at @AGofTheWorld, follow and join us on our quest. pic.twitter.com/DxOV3obSm0
— Nathan Nelson (@mrnathannelson) July 7, 2020
Potato? We’ve got a few. This field is the largest on the farm at 34 hectares, called TSB. It’s named after the three fields that were here before the hedgerows dividing them were removed: Thieves Hole, Sparrow Gong and Brick Kiln Piece. [thread on #hedgerows follows, buckle up] pic.twitter.com/z2Ylpxxno8
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
Bit of history. The Enclosures consolidated almost 7 million acres of common land in Britain mainly between the 18th and 19th centuries, with hedgerows dividing parcels of agricultural land. This Enclosure map of Burnham Deepdale is from 1825. pic.twitter.com/fWTQptWCUF
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
The Enclosures resulted in hundreds of thousands of kilometers of new hedgerows being planted – in Norfolk and elsewhere they’re mainly hawthorn. Most of the hedgerows on @DeepdaleFarm survive intact but over time some have been lost or deteriorated. pic.twitter.com/vVrU5GfaE5
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
Like many other farms, some hedgerows were removed to create bigger fields like TSB and make room for larger machinery. Over 100,000km of hedgerows in the UK have been removed since World War 2 . Hedgerows also deteriorate if they’re not maintained, or if they’re overtrimmed. pic.twitter.com/jXaDCWewjF
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
Maintaining hedgerows takes time, work and attention, and is ongoing for the life of the hedge. I love this video from 1942 of a hedgelayer doing his work: https://t.co/9oegmyfle0
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
Hedgerows are amazing. They provide shelter and food for wildlife from birds to small mammals and pollinators. They sequester carbon. They mitigate against flooding. They act as a windbreak and prevent soil erosion. Why wouldn’t we want all these amazing features on the farm? pic.twitter.com/AtOLwhPrlQ
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
So for the past few years we’ve been planting thousands of new hedging plants on our campsite, and we recently planted two new hedgerows redividing a large field to help prevent flooding. We’ve done much of this work with our amazing conservation volunteers, the Hedge Collective. pic.twitter.com/FK6CtXJoCd
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
In the next couple of years we’re also restoring miles of hedgerows across the farm by replanting, coppicing and hedgelaying. We’re giving our hedgerows some much needed love. pic.twitter.com/XF1wIALm5V
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
Great hedgerow management resources:@HedgelinkUK https://t.co/mllDlMuLsD@PTES produce a great management guide available via @agricology (also a fantastic sustainable farming resource) https://t.co/Y7nFBYMlgd
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
We had a late night visitor to the backpackers hostel courtyard this evening, a hedgehog, discovered by our night manager. The local wildlife has loved exploring the nooks & crannies of the farm & tourism site, while visitors have stayed away during the Covid-19 lockdown. pic.twitter.com/D5s8sPRxSg
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 7, 2020
Back in 2013, we had a problem when the sea decided to pay a visit. Sea wall protecting @BurnhamDeepdale houses, @StMarysDeepdale & some @DeepdaleFarm fields collapsed during the sea surge. On video, water on right of bank shouldn’t be there, should be dry land. pic.twitter.com/NwoEcJNDMd
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 8, 2020
Land took more than a year to desalinate & not really been quite right since, including weeds brought with sea, such as black grass. Today its fallow & next year will be part of Countryside Stewardship scheme, supplying both Summer & Winter food for wildlife. Looks like this now. pic.twitter.com/i1WH4RLncH
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 8, 2020
Water in dykes around marsh fields comes from fresh water springs, which you’ll find all round reclaimed marshes & on salt marshes other side of wall. Its beautiful water, filtered through chalk layers. We use it for irrigation & rest goes to sea, feeding sea lavendar & samphire. pic.twitter.com/4WNNlLsa5h
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 8, 2020
Sea wall protecting land & houses is managed by @EnvAgencyAnglia & part of Norfolk Coast Path route, managed by @NorfolkTrails. Fabulous walk! Route runs from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea. Our campsite & hostels just happen to be days walk from Hunstanton or Wells-next-the-Sea. pic.twitter.com/MnWWdcbto0
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 8, 2020
The joys of irrigation continue despite some much needed (& enjoyed) rain. Our hedges are smiling, but the team less so, as sometimes irrigation is not the most satisfying of jobs. https://t.co/dVhA60bTky
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 8, 2020
What are your farm dogs called? Please say hello to Poppet & Maple the @DeepdaleFarm dogs, both labradors, who love nothing better than waiting in the farm office for the friendly postman or running through fields & leaping into dykes. Tough life! pic.twitter.com/kccF2ZjwIY
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 8, 2020
Good morning world from the North Norfolk Coast … Big grey & drizzly at @DeepdaleFarm today. Looking at our wheat, which is still very green, but the colour is changing. pic.twitter.com/NmmiH68EbH
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 9, 2020
This year we’ve sown cover crops on six of our fields that have previously been in carrots and really needed some TLC. This is a mix of nine species chosen to shield the soil, build organic matter, fix nitrogen and stimulate soil biology. It was drilled a month ago. pic.twitter.com/I3XW3EQ7zB
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 9, 2020
Here are most of them, left to right: mustard, radish, phacelia, pea, rye, vetch and clover. There are two radishes (fodder and tillage) and two clovers (Persian clover and crimson clover). pic.twitter.com/FQwox0yw66
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 9, 2020
You can see the nitrogen-fixing nodules on the pea root, the little white bits. Using nitrogen fixing legumes like this will be essential as we remove artificial inputs of nitrogen in future. pic.twitter.com/uqW1bdBVPq
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 9, 2020
This is the first time we’ve used cover crops on the farm. It has been an interesting learning experience and we’re looking forward to seeing healthier soil – as well as masses of flowers. We’re thinking next about termination and how they’ll work in our rotation in future. pic.twitter.com/PjbvOwPahV
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 9, 2020
We were supported with our first foray into cover crops by the awesome @WSF_NRT team at @N_Rivers_Trust and @JackRobinson80 did a great job of getting the crops in for us. We also found @niabgroup‘s guide available through @agricology really helpful https://t.co/I3ogn8hkNg
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 9, 2020
How did you take your first steps with cover crops? What did you learn? What wouldn’t you do again? pic.twitter.com/0KYzTQo9yn
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 9, 2020
Does anyone else farm these? Diversification has been life blood of @DeepdaleFarm. We couldn’t have diversified if we hadn’t been able to borrow as a farm, but income from diversification is now vital part of what we do, & supports farming, which is borderline profitable. pic.twitter.com/Ua4GpTdYKD
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
The farm was a diversification from the beginning, an alternative to London business life for the Great Grandfather & Grandfather of @EarthlyIdeas. Even his Dad, Alister, had to do other things than farm, running @TheJollySailors pub for 18 years. pic.twitter.com/n0LRVG7IyY
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
@EarthlyIdeas returned to farm having travelled extensively, worked for @UNAIDS, @UNICEF & @chameleonsafari in Namibia, @ostrichranchCT in Cape Town, & climbing Mount Kenya dressed as a rhino. He was filled with ideas, which became backpackers hostel, campsite & @DalegateMarket. pic.twitter.com/NSGUvnEteo
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
The diversification has been done in leaps and bounds, firstly the groups hostel in our old Granary, then the campsite & backpackers hostel, then shops & cafe. Now events like Deepdale Festival & Deepdale Christmas Market. pic.twitter.com/XYoEey0Xcr
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
Today, its the farm’s turn to change, stepping away from what has been our standard rotation of potatoes, carrots, wheat & biomass maize, with all the chemical inputs. We need to balance farming, conservation, tourism & community.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
We are working with Henry of @NorfolkFWAG to put about 80% of farm into Countryside Stewardship scheme, resting & rebuilding the soil, dealing with flooding issues, & becoming wildlife haven. Going to be interesting few years ahead.
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
Still surveying hedges. These hawthorn trees were a hedge at one point but they switched it up and became trees. pic.twitter.com/Bbhzu6HN7c
— Nathan Nelson (@mrnathannelson) July 10, 2020
What is this life if, full of care,
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
-from ‘Leisure’ by W.H. Davies
We hope you have a great weekend, and if you’re working, you still find the time to stand and stare. pic.twitter.com/6WwNZwP6Vh
Good night from @DeepdaleFarm. Mixed weather day today. Our new hedges & campsite grass loved this morning’s rain. We finished the day with lovely sunshine. https://t.co/DJb1fSDc2h
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 10, 2020
Good morning from @DeepdaleFarm. Our last day tweeting, thank you for having us. We asked the team to show us some of their favourite places on the farm. This is Stephen’s 1st choice. The top of Parson’s Bush looking across Brancaster Staithe harbour & Burnham Overy Staithe. pic.twitter.com/Chgh8QSYNC
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 11, 2020
You can just make out Scolt Head Island in the distance, national nature reserve, sand spit island which forms outer walls of both harbours. Island is famous for Terns (birds).
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 11, 2020
You can just make out Scolt Head Island in the distance, national nature reserve, sand spit island which forms outer walls of both harbours. Island is famous for Terns (birds).
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 11, 2020
Our team, our visitors & our location are hugely important to us, so not being able to welcome people to @DeepdaleFarm during the lockdown has been very strange. This video from our Hygge festival sums up the vibe we usually enjoy: https://t.co/zId1cNzUN6
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 11, 2020
Stephen took the opportunity to capture the view across @DeepdaleFarm, while servicing all the plant ready for harvest. Great views across the campsite (motorhomes only at the moment), up to our woods (40 acres), and then across towards Burnham Market. pic.twitter.com/Azhkuo0vxD
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 11, 2020
So it is goodbye from us here at @DeepdaleFarm. Been lots of fun tweeting as @AGofTheWorld. Massive thank you to @JLazySAngus for organising. @mrnathannelson & @EarthlyIdeas now heading off to have a proper pint of real ale. Stay well & happy out there in the big wide world. pic.twitter.com/EtotKjAVxx
— Ag of The World (@AGofTheWorld) July 11, 2020
