Andrew Nottage, Russell Smith Farms

Robert Smith and Andrew Nottage are not only farmers but custodians of the Cambridgeshire countryside. They have been farming Russell Smith Farms located around the Imperial War Museum in Duxford since 1938. Robert and Andrew are also members of LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), a charity which promotes environmentally responsible farming, and the organisation behind Open Farm Sunday which is held on the 12th June.

As LEAF farmers, Robert and Andrew are committed to producing good food with care for the environment. Protecting and conserving the wildlife on the farm is achieved through a number of Integrated Farm Management techniques. For example, they only trim the hedges every two to three years and margins are left around fields so the wildlife can flourish. These areas are planted with wildflower mixtures, again to attract insects and butterflies. After harvesting some of the crops, some of the fields are left over the winter to provide a winter food source for wild birds.

Up until the mid 1980’s cereals were the main crop grown. Robert and Andrew then began to expand the potato crop after discovering the land is particularly well suited to them.  The farm also specialises in the production of premium quality vegetables, including onions for a range of customers.

As Russell Smith Farms are LEAF Marque certified, much of the food grown on the farm is sold to supermarkets and can be recognised through the LEAF Marque logo on packaging and displays. The LEAF Marque is a logo that shows the food you are buying has been produced to high environmental standards from farmers you can trust. 

For a great day out and to find out more about how your food is produced and the countryside around you cared for, visit Andrew at Russell Smith Farms on the 12th June for Open Farm Sunday 2011.

For more information visit www.farmsunday.org and for up-to-date campaign information, follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/openfarmsunday

To arrange a visit to Russell Smith Farms or an interview with Andrew contact:
David Gough or Laura Bates
Open Farm Sunday Press Office   
T: 01189 475956 M : 07884 353 474  
E: david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk / laura.bates@ceres-pr.co.uk