Chaplain correspondence

Diocese assistance

Good evening.

The following email correspondence has been passed to me for publication... many thanks to Tim Thompson and Terry Miller.

"From: Tim Thompson
Sent: 13 September 2010 17:08
To: Terry Miller
Subject: Nocton Farm Dairies

Hi Terry

I imagine that the prospect of a 8000 head of dairy cattle farm at Nocton will not have escaped your notice.  I was wondering if there might be a way in which the diocese could be involved in trying to find out if this venture is morally, economically, and socially valuable.  At the present it seems to fail on all three counts.

Look forward to having a chat with you.

Tim"

"From: Terry Miller terry.miller@lincoln.anglican.org
To: Tim Thompson
Cc: Alan Robson alanjrobson@lincagriculture.freeserve.co.uk
Sent: 14 September 2010 12:35
Subject: RE: Nocton Farm Dairies

Dear Tim

Good to hear from you.  Yes, this has been a matter of concern.  Alan Robson is involved more closely than me.  My view is that this is not the future - to be resilient to market fluctuations the future is small and sustainable which means self sufficient, giving more space for animals and allowing as much natural behaviour as possible.  What is not generally discussed with this project is the massive amounts of inputs necessary to be brought in to feed them as they are housed most of their lives rather than grazing.  My old farm Commonwork is showing the way forwards, see http://www.commonwork.org/ low carbon farming, organic and self sufficient - but modern units, with lower stocking densities.

All good wishes.

Terry

Mr Terry Miller
Chaplain for the Environment and Sustainable Development
Lincolnshire Chaplaincy Services
Church House
Minster Yard
Lincoln LN2 1PU
Tel: 01522 504072
E-mail: terry.miller@lincoln.anglican.org
Registered Charity No. 1126896 and
Company Registered in England and Wales No. 6491058"