“They let us get on with it and we pursued it all the way” – Farmer Craig’s Story

Farmer Craig Mercer first got involved with Groundwork through the Farms for Water project. He was skeptical about the project but went on to install various improvements which helped water quality.

He used to have an open roof silage clamp, meaning that when there was heavy wind and rain, the polluting runoff from the silage would go into the drains and surrounding brooks.

However earlier this year a roof was built, partly funded by Groundwork, allowing the feed and straw to stay dry. The brook was fenced off so the livestock could no longer wander nearby to pollute the brook, and native hedge plants and trees were added alongside, so that when water drains into their section the roots will in time absorb the run off.

In a video showcasing the Farms for Water project’s accomplishments, Craig Mercer commented:

‘Groundwork have been good, supported us through it. No pressure for us, gave a start date, they let us get on with it and we pursued it all the way’