A farmer's vision for the twenty-first century

ONE of the underlying themes in Patrick Evans's new book is that the answer to poverty in Britain and other parts of the world is to make farming work.

"If farming is encouraged and made profitable and the environment also cared for then much will be done to relieve poverty," he said.

Patrick, who lives with his wife Kristin at Haytons, Whitbourne, is a writer who has seen for himself. And his book, A Hand to the Plough, is his vision for the 21st century.

Patrick was born and brought up at Whitbourne Hall, where he later farmed mostly livestock, together with the Crumplebury and Longlands holdings, for 25 years.

His book marks his second venture into print, the first being Farming Forever which went on sale in 1996 and was very much aimed at the farming community.

A Hand to the Plough is different in that it is not only about farming but reaches out to those interested in fostering harmony with nature and with each other.

Patrick looks at the influences at work in the 21st century through science, economics, politics and religion.

He outlines the farmer's contribution to the world picture, which includes answering poverty, combating climate change, appreciating food quality and the need for fair trade to sustain unsubsidised profitability for producers.

A deep interest in the very roots of farming comes across in the book.

Patrick comes from a family of seven. Brothers Edward and Robin live in Whitbourne while John was killed in the war. Of his three sisters, Mrs Mary Mann survives and lives in Wimbledon.

After taking a degree in agriculture at Cambridge, Patrick spent three years as an assistant technical officer with the Essex War Agricultural Committee.

From 1953 until his retirement in 1988, he farmed at home with his brother Edward.

Now the farming interests have been taken over by his nephew Bill and his wife Julia, the current chairwoman of the Herefordshire branch of the NFU.

"When I retired I found I had the chance to develop international farming interests and had more time to think and write," he said.

"There have been big changes with the reorganisation of CAP and the Single Farm Payment making it a very different deal for the farmer and, unfortunately, a situation where there is no encouragement to produce."

The book, published by Sapey Press, costs £7.50.