Solar Energy, the global hunt for profits, farmers, communities. A two-part exploration and explanation.

By Sally Campbell “It isn’t always true that a critical end justifies desperate means.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich   PART ONE  STOP LIME DOWN SOLAR FARM, NEAR SHERSTON   A couple of years ago in Voice for Arran (Issue 119, February 2021, Issue 127 October 2021*), I wrote about private equity companies, carbon credits and buying …

Solar Energy, the global hunt for profits, farmers, communities. A two-part exploration and explanation.

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.” -Thomas Jefferson    PART TWO UNDERSTANDING BRITISH AGRICULTURE and GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES I needed to better understand British agriculture now, with solar energy and government priorities.  As a child in Wiltshire, I helped stook the sheaves …

Ancient Grains Project

The Arran Pioneer Project has joined Scotland the Bread’s Soil to Slice project, which has seen the first ancient grains being planted in various sites around the island. Pioneer Project Ranger Zabdi Keen explains: The project started with George Grassie from the Blackwater Bakehouse and his dream of a local loaf. George gave us some …

The security of regenerative farming

By Praveena Sridhar, The Ecologist , 23rd May 2024 We must prioritise regenerative agriculture to protect British food security. British farmers have decried one of the worst harvests on record. British soils have not been able to weather the storm; excess flooding has drastically impacted British agricultural output. This not only drives imports and therefore prices …