, first launched during 1987/88, encourages a partnership between the farmers and the conservation bodies in land management and co-ordinates the help to farmers carrying out works that have conservation benefit.

Dry stone walling

The basis of this service is an agreement between the Park Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Farmers Union, English Nature, English Heritage, the Forestry Commission and the Country Landowners Association. In this way it is hoped to co-ordinate the many difference grant and advice schemes that are at present in operation. The service includes a Farm Conservation Scheme which provides grants not, or insufficiently, available from National Schemes.

The service has been enthusiastically received by farmers and landowners and by 1993/4 over 1,130 enquiries had been received and 590 projects had been started.

• Woodland management.
  
• Drystone wall rebuilding.
  
• Grassland management.
  
• Hedgerow planting.
  
• Pond restoration.
  
  

The costs of this scheme are met partly by the farmers (30%), partly by grants from the Farm Conservation Scheme (35%) and partly from National grant schemes (35%). In 1989 National Park Authorities were allowed to top-up Ministry grants. This has been particularly important in encouraging conservation work.

• A wider range of farming activities.
• Conservation of landscape, wildlife and historic features.
• Provision for tourism and recreation.
  
• Management of woodland.
  
  

Camping Barn at Edale

English Heritage will give grants to identify archaeological features on farms and find ways to allow public access to them. An example of diversification is the conversion of traditional stone barns into Camping Barns. This has:

• Protected the buildings.
  
• Provided accommodation for walkers.
  
• Provided an income for farmers.
  
• Provided employment (bookings are organised by a clerk employed by the National Park). At the end of 1993/4, 13 barns were a part of the scheme.
  
  

Other forms of diversification include: bed and breakfast in farmhouses; farm holidays; self catering cottages within the farm; small camping and caravan sites in fields on the farm; the sale of local food products under the Peak District Products label.

Possible further areas of diversification might be: to set up workshops for crafts and farm related activities; to establish clean light industry in redundant buildings; food from the farm for sale ‘at the farm gate’.