Greg Bliss is the fourth generation of the Bliss family to farm the fertile fenland near Peterborough. The black organic peat soil, which leads through into silt, at 'Ermine Lodge' and 'Engine Farm' has been used to grow potatoes for around 100 years.
Approximately 100 acres of potatoes are grown each year, mainly the varieties Maris Piper, Markies and Melody.
The Bliss family have seen many changes over their time on the fens, with increasingly more sophisticated machinery and advancements in chemical controls. Some things don't change though - the farms still abound with wildlife. Native Skylarks (Alauda arvensis), Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) and Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) mix freely with Muntjac Deer (Muntiacus reevesi). There are also many smaller species such as Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) and Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus). Sensitive management encourages their continued survival on the farms.
In addition to managing the farms, Greg is also the National Chairman of the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA). The TFA was formed in 1981, and is dedicated to being the voice on behalf of tenant farmers, with members drawn from right across the farming industry.
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