{"id":1749,"date":"2024-02-05T13:57:24","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T13:57:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fenlandsoil.org\/?p=1749"},"modified":"2024-04-02T14:07:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T14:07:40","slug":"fenland-soil-farmers-dialogue-event-at-the-norfolk-broads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fenlandsoil.org\/news\/fenland-soil-farmers-dialogue-event-at-the-norfolk-broads\/","title":{"rendered":"Fenland SOIL Farmer’s Dialogue Event at the Norfolk Broads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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On the 16th of January Fenland SOIL coordinated a Farmers Dialogue Event, hosted by the Norfolk Broads Authority. We met at West Somerton Mill which provided panoramic views of a 60-acre reed and sedge bed. Richard Starling, one of the reed cutters from the area, explained the pressures on the reed industry today. Approximately 97.5% of reed for thatching is currently imported, generally at a lower cost and quality, which makes it difficult for Norfolk reed cutters to compete in the market. They are also faced with the challenges of conflicting policy and socioeconomic pressures such as housing costs in the local area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We then went to look at the Broads Authority\u2019s paludiculture site (which is part of the Paludiculture Exploration Fund). Here they are experimenting growing typha (bulrush) and reed. It was interesting to hear the unique challenges they are facing when it comes to managing the site, such as dealing with brackish water along with pressure from geese and deer. They are also exploring the possibility of reed fibres being used to manufacture construction\/insulation materials. More information about the \u2018Fibre Broads\u2019 project can be found on the Broads website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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