Forty Farms - Conversations about change in the landscapes of Cumbria

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Low Sizergh Farm (‘Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Café’), Sizergh near Kendal – Dairy, horticulture, hospitality, poultry, tourism Amy Bateman’s creation tells the story of farms across Cumbria. A number of the farms featured (including Amy’s) are current or prospective B4RN customers.

Dalefoot Farm (‘Dalefoot Composts’), Heltondale near Penrith – Compost, peatland restoration, sheep Photographer Amy Bateman said: “I have tried to reflect the widest possible range of farmers engaged with the widest variety of animals, crops, landscapes, and diversifications. The accompanying conversations with farmers, often frank, sometimes funny, and occasionally painful, reflect the critical issues facing farming today. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.The Forty Farms exhibition will be in the Gallery, Rheged, Penrith LA8 9NB from now until 4 January 2023.

The first 100 books sold will include a free signed image kindly printed by photography printing specialists Fotospeed . My photography work is only done in school hours. The rest of the time, I'm determined to be around for my children. And so, there's a big compromise between being a commercial photographer and being a mum. I’ve turned significant commissions down as I can't travel to far flung places or have the ease of working to my own schedule. When seeing other people's photographs of sunrises, I need to remind myself that I have three young girls and I’m married to a farmer. My dedication to my family and farm makes capturing photographs of sunrises difficult, so I’ll just wait and over time I will have opportunities to capture those images. And of course I make the most of our land here at home, on my doorstep. Simon and Our Farm are honoured to be a part of ‘Forty Farms - Conversations about change in the landscapes of Cumbria’. The book reveals frank conversations about the financial challenges experienced by upland farmers; the tightrope balance of producing quality food in nature-rich protected landscapes; and the highs and lows of working in an area internationally famed for its beauty. In March 2021, British Life Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman, embarked on a year-long journey to record the stories of 40 farms across Cumbria. One of the farms she photographed was our farm, Yew Tree Farm, Coniston.

None of this would be happening without the commitment and enthusiasm my publisher, Dave Felton, and the financial support of the Arts Council as well as five sponsors: Rathbone Brothers (wealth management), H&H Group, NFU (National Farmers Union), the University of Cumbria’s Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas and The Cumberland, the Carlisle-based mutual building society. There will be times when part of the Forty Farms exhibition can’t be viewed temporarily because the learning centre is being used for an activity. Image credit: Amy Bateman - Forty Farms) If you could only use one camera and lens forever, what would it be? Our family farm, some of our wonderful producers, and our farming friends, feature in a brand new exhibition offering a unique insight into the everyday lives, fears and hopes of 40 extraordinary farmers throughout Cumbria. Lakeland Arts is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales, company no. 8162578. Registered office Abbot Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AL.

Derwentwater dawn (Image credit: Amy Bateman - Forty Farms) How did you go from amateur to professional photographer?In March 2021, British Life Photographer of the Year Amy Bateman embarked on a journey to record the stories of forty farms in Cumbria.

In March 2021, British Life Photographer of the Year Amy Bateman embarked on a journey to record the stories of Forty Farms in the Lake District and Cumbria. Dalefoot Farm ('Dalefoot Composts'), Heltondale near Penrith – Compost, peatland restoration, sheep Rhian Harris, Chief Executive Lakeland Arts says, “As an arts and heritage charity, Lakeland Arts encourages creativity and the exploration of landscape and identity. We’re delighted to be hosting Forty Farms which brings to life the stories of local farmers who for generations have been fundamental in shaping the landscape and culture of this region.” Lakeland Arts is a registered charity and the funding we receive from Gift Aid makes a significant difference to our organisation.We've got 900 acres – that's a lot of land to be able to capture the landscape, farm life, farm animals, nature and food production. I get to capture the behind the scenes of farm life that people rarely experience. I know our farm inside and out, where to find the March hares when they're boxing, beautiful examples of regeneration in Juniper on our fell and time it just right to capture them in the best light. Forty Farms offers a unique insight into the hopes, fears and everyday lives of 40 extraordinary farmers across Cumbria. SKU: 7525 Categories: All Titles, Countryside, Countryside, Environment, Cumbrian Books, Cumbrian Outdoors, Family, Farming, History, Lake District History, People, Photography, Pictorial, Social History, UK Books Helen has appeared on Sky News, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC World Service, talkRadio, and GB News. An experienced chairperson and speaker, she regularly chairs conferences and events for, among others, literature festivals, award ceremonies, and tech shows. She was also a Guest Lecturer at Westminster University in the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, and a Guest Lecturer at City University and at MMU. She taught Music Journalism at Salford University for a number of years, and taught Political Reporting at Huddersfield University. In 2017, she was shortlisted for Person with Purpose at the Northern Power Women Awards. In 2019, she was a judge for the HWA Gold Crown Awards which recognise the best historical novels.