When we started planning this issue of Land Business back in January, none of us could have imagined the position we now find ourselves in.
The past few months have been unprecedented with the Covid-19 pandemic having a profound effect on our personal lives and our businesses. The crisis also struck after a prolonged period of adverse weather, negative publicity about livestock’s contribution to climate change and uncertainty about the future support regime - all significant pressures for farms and rural estates.
It’s at times like these that the ability to stay positive, deal with setbacks and innovate become more important than ever. In this issue, we examine the way that farmshops have adapted to the challenges of coronavirus, reinventing their operations overnight as they sought to serve their local communities. Among all the uncertainties and worries of present times, it is a heartening story and a reminder of the valuable contribution that farms and estates can make to society. It also highlights how positive thinking can help build resilience - both personally and professionally.
If there is an immediate lesson from the current crisis for land-based businesses, it is the value of having a wide range of revenue streams. So we also look at how landowners may be able to seize opportunities as a result of the environmental agenda.
We explore the market for carbon in the context of woodlands and forestry and the potential for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) agreements.
As always, we’d value your feedback, so please do get in touch to tell us what you think about this issue.
In the meantime, stay safe.
James Farrell Head of Rural