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On a Saturday in late July members, friends and family of Greener Fram joined others on a visit to Wakelyns Farm, where Martin Wolfe described his method of Agroforestry, built up since he and his wife purchased the farm in 1992.
He began by describing the current commercial production of wheat where in one field “on land owned by a neighbouring farmer” there may be up to half a million plants genetically identical. The high production tonnage per hectare is achieved through the application of 39 chemicals over 13 visits by machinery. The cost of this is about 70-80% of the yield.
At Wakelyns Farm crops are grown in 12metre-wide alleys running perpendicular to the prevailing wind with 2metre strips either side for trees. This creates in a milder microclimate in which crops grow without the application of chemicals. The trees provide shade and shelter as well as nutrients for the crops and changing rates of transpiration. The under-story around the trees is untouched although ploughing is important for weed control and root pruning along the alleys. We were shown an alley in which several different blight-resistant varieties of potato were grown, thus reducing the risk of losing the entire crop in the event of disease. In some parts of the farm coppicing of trees such as Hazel and Willow takes place while other hard woods are allowed to mature.

The all- important theme of diversity has created a woodland edge, encouraging a great variety of species of bees, butterflies and birds: a recent RSPB survey recorded 43 species of bird.
With the continued themes of climate change and resource depletion weekly in the news we could do well to think as consumers and producers of food of our dependence on ‘cheap’ oil. A visit to Wakelyns farm is a wake up call to all of us.

David and Sue Greenacre

In the latest series of the science show "Bang Goes the Theory" episode 1 included a feature that looked at peak oil theory and the science behind it.  You can watch it on iPlayer here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rm0dk/Bang_Goes_the_Theory_Series_2_Episode_1/

If you only want to watch the oil bit it starts at about 17 mins and finishes at 23 mins.

On 10 February 2010 at the Royal Society, six UK companies - Arup, Foster + Partners, Scottish and Southern Energy, Solarcentury, Stagecoach Group and Virgin - joined together to launch the second report of the UK Industry Task-Force on Peak Oil and Energy Security (ITPOES).

The report, titled “The Oil Crunch - a wake-up call for the UK economy”, finds that oil shortages, insecurity of supply and price volatility will destabilise economic, political and social activity within five years.

The Task-Force warns that the UK must not be caught out by the oil crunch in the same way it was with the credit crunch and states that policies to address Peak Oil must be a priority for the new government formed after the 2010 election.

For further information please visit: http://peakoiltaskforce.net/

Phase 2 of the 'Greener Homes Scheme', being run by SCDC & Energy Savings Trust will shortly be completed. The Framlingham Pilot scheme will have provided FREE insulation for more than 60 local residents in total, 40 of whom who will collect their products during February bringing to a close a very successful project. The scheme has been assisted by committee members and supporters of 'Greener Fram' who have helped organise the venue, taken delivery of and arranged collections for residents and we should like to thank every one involved.