The Waveney Hundred Farming Group will link the Broads National Park with the Suffolk Coast and the Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Comprising 23 farmers, many of them NFU members, the new cluster group will see members meet regularly to share ideas and deliver environmental benefits across their farms, while at the same time improving profitability from food production.
Landscape packed with wildlife
The Broads National Park is home to more than a quarter of Britain's rarest animals and plants, while the Suffolk Coast and the Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a diverse landscape, packed with wildlife.
The cluster group covers 7,677 hectares between the Rivers Waveney and Blyth in north-east Suffolk.
Ben Blower, a founder member and chair of the group, sees the alliance as a clear sign that farmers are willing to take the lead in improving the environment.
He said: 鈥淭he key to improving our rural landscape is to have an agricultural sector that is stable and profitable.
鈥淲e realised we had to take the initiative to put ourselves in the best possible position to take advantage of any new national policy and to attract local investment in delivering environmental improvements and increasing farming鈥檚 contribution to public well-being.鈥�
Producing food in harmony with nature
Neighbouring farmer Robert Wright, who originally proposed the association four years ago, added: 鈥淧romoting the environment has always been a key part of our business but we lacked connectivity with our neighbours in similar schemes.
鈥淲e need to produce food efficiently in harmony with nature and without causing damage to the environment.
鈥淔ood production is not incompatible with protecting and enhancing the environment but we do need the resources to do that successfully.鈥�
Delivering benefits across the region
The Waveney Hundred Farming Group will engage with the public and businesses and help them to contribute towards environmental improvements in the area.
The farmers in the group believe that working with their neighbours will provide transformational opportunities for delivering real benefits across the region.
This will include reducing habitat fragmentation, strengthening landscape character and identifying key opportunities for habitat creation and restoration, improvements in soil, air and water quality as well as educating the public.
They will be advised by independent environmental consultant Tim Schofield formerly of Suffolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. This will help them provide the framework required, as well as training for members.
NFU Regional Policy Manager for the East of England Charles Hesketh said: 鈥淚t is great to see NFU members in Suffolk showing this initiative and working together to benefit the environment in a hugely important part of our region.
鈥淔armers across the country want to support the environment and help wildlife, while delivering national food security.
鈥淭hey are showing that food production and positive environmental work go hand in hand, with the right support in place.鈥�