We can only solve the crises of climate, extinction and human ill-health by healing our relationship with the land. Jake Fiennes shows us how in this inspiring, realistic and practical book" For example we've been doing the Big Farmland Bird Survey in the last two weeks and we now have four years of data for Holkham. We have surveyed close to 50 farms of Holkham-owned land and already we can see where we are making a difference and where we are not."

The author has interesting things to say on gamebird shooting, particularly that relying on large releases of non-native gamebirds and seems quite convinced by the much-denied link between gamebird releases and the high densities of carrion eaters and predators in that same countryside. Tending that which is sacred. What is nature spirituality without nature? If we are going to hold something sacred, it is right that we tend it and work to preserve it. Right now, given the state of nature, there is a lot of healing and preservation work to do. If we begin to treat the land as sacred from a perspective of daily practice, we begin putting our practices and daily life in line with our values. We drive up to the Coke monument, a classical stone column commemorating the life and work of the 1st Earl, Thomas William Coke (1754– 1842), and his contribution to agriculture. At its base is a pedestal with mottos, including “small in size and great in value” and “live and let live”.The concept is a very interesting one – the execution of the book though unfortunately falls a little short of it. The book really comes to life when Fiennes either talks about his own journey and farming experiences and even more so in the often lyrical passages where he describes days on the land through the year. Too much of the rest of the book though is occupied by a blizzard of facts and statistics which, even for me as a mathematician and statistican lost interest as he does not really assemble a coherent story about them – but (if I can be forgiven a gamekeeper pun) has something of a scattergun approach. And similarly sections on various aspects of agricultural policy and law, while clearly vital to the country’s future agriculture and the likelihood of other farmers adopting his approaches, again failed to cohere, at least for me. Geese flying over new wetlands at Holkham National Nature Reserve (Image: Archant 2022) Wetland Transformations A well written and timely book, looking at the benefits which relatively simple and low-cost farming measures can yield, if a little thought is applied. You’ll probably be aware that previous European Union regulations actually penalised farmers who let their hedges grow too long, or those who allowed native flora and fauna to return to their fields. Doors open at 6.00pm for a 6.15pm start as Jake discusses his debut book with FarmED Founder, Ian Wilkinson. The discussions surrounding how farming methods can have a positive impact on our countryside, will conclude with an audience Q&A and a book signing.

A Green Drake Mayfly (Ephemera danica) sits on Jake’s hand at Warham Camp having just hatched. Right; An Early-Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula) growing at Warham Camp. Many years ago, the old Norfolk boys would dig foot-drains to take the water off the land," said Mr Fiennes. Our relationship with our land is broken: we must heal it. Jake Fiennes is on a mission to change the face of the English countryside.It’s the daily Whole Planet Healing conference call, held every night at 10pm Eastern, 7pm Pacific. A group of about 30 people, including two Pennsylvanians, join together nightly to do a meditation very much like the ones you described above.

What I love about this monument is that it’s all about agriculture and food. ‘Small in size …’ refers to sheep, but to me it refers to bumble bees or butterflies or toads – and ‘Live and let live’ – that’s the biodiversity crisis. We need to share. We need to share this planet with everything that’s in it rather than trying to remove it or destroy it.’Fiennes, 52, is boyish-looking with short spiky white hair. As you may have guessed, he is the younger brother of actor Ralph, the twin of fellow actor Joseph, and a distant cousin of explorer Ranulph. But this Fiennes chose a very different path: tearaway teenage clubber turned gamekeeper and now a truly rare beast: a conservationist who commands the respect of farmers and ecologists alike. I don’t know anyone who has a role similar to mine, and there’s still loads to do.’ He credits his success at Holkham with being able to engage with anyone from royalty to ministers to hedge layers. ‘Because of my upbringing and interesting education, I have an ability to speak to people in a language they understand, whether it’s a duke or a forester. I wouldn’t recommend going to 13 different schools to everyone, but actually there are fringe benefits.’ Rooted offers us an honest look at the farming life today. It is not an easy way to make a living, but through Langford's personal story - and those of who she meets - we appreciate how it offers a connection with the land, and a firmer sense of our place in the world. Raw, earthy and inspiring.'- Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment A powerful call to arms, this fascinating book makes a clear case to put farming at the heart of the restoration of our countryside"