Forty Farms is an immersive and evocative exhibition of large-format photographs, supported by film, words, sound and crafted products from some of the featured farms, curated initially for the Gallery at Rheged in Cumbria. The exhibition is touring after Rheged, to the Windermere Jetty Museum (closed May 2023) and will open in its entirety at the Food Museum, Stowmarket, Suffolk in May 2024 until February 2025. At each venue we work to create a programme of talks and creative workshops, some of them delivered by farmers and all of them supporting the themes explored in Forty Farms.

The accompanying conversations with farmers – often frank, sometimes funny, and occasionally painful – reflect the critical issues facing farming today.

In March 2020, British Life Photographer of the Year, and Cumbrian farmer, Amy Bateman, embarked on a journey to record the stories of Forty Farms in the Lake District and Cumbria to produce a sumptuous coffee table book.

Over the course of a year, Amy conducted frank conversations about the financial challenges of farming; about the tightrope balance of producing quality food in a nature-rich landscape; and about the highs and lows of working in an area that is known and loved internationally. Forty Farms offers a unique insight into the hopes, fears and everyday lives of 40 extraordinary farmers across Cumbria.The idea for Forty Farms was devised by publisher and Lake District enthusiast, David Felton of Inspired by Lakeland. He approached me about creating the book together. 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. As well as the “real” Gallery exhibition, there’s also a virtual Online Gallery, which includes exclusive images not in the book (as well as lots that are) and offers the chance to buy a range of formats and sizes for about 400 images as prints. Follow the link to find out more and for the full selection. Over the course of a year, Amy conducted frank conversations about the financial challenge of farming in a fast-changing world; about the tightrope balance of producing quality food for the nation in sensitive heritage landscapes; and about the challenges and opportunities of working in an area that is internationally famed for its beauty. It highlights independence, innovation and resilience in a post-Brexit world of declining farm subsidies, as we seek to focus on producing food closer to home, whilst balancing the drive towards net-zero, and restoring biodiversity.

The photographs captured by Bateman tell the compelling stories of 40 farmers as they go about their day-to-day lives in one of the UK ’ s best loved mountain landscapes, the Lake District. Along the way, Bateman reveals compelling human-interest stories during what was – and is – a period of profound change for British farming. Image credit: Amy Bateman - Forty Farms) What is the most challenging and rewarding part of your photography? 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.” There’s that old saying that an image can tell a thousand words, but there are plenty of books about farming, but a lot of those books hark to the past. A lot of those books are just written in text and we wanted almost a coffee table book but with the stories of the farmers words. With the farmers intertwined. So there’s a very strong narrative that runs through throughout it.”I think also, there's something about photography of farmland that is quite unique. You kind of have to open your eyes a little bit more. I mean, landscape photographers do use the same leading lines of walls and fences, or gateways and openings that open a door or lead the viewer into your image. But then if you've got animals in your image, it changes the focus of the subject. A lot of people generally overlook the animals and consider them just part of the bigger composition. I generally tend to make the animals more part of the image and I like to add an element of storytelling to my images. The animals are essential because I'm photographing farm life, not only a part of it. Could you tell us more about the "Forty Farms" project? Lakeland Arts is a registered charity and the funding we receive from Gift Aid makes a significant difference to our organisation. The accompanying conversations with farmers, often frank, sometimes funny, and occasionally painful, reflect the critical issues facing farming today. Nibthwaite Grange ('Dodgson Wood'), Crake Valley near Coniston – Arts & crafts, beef, sheep, tourism

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. This also marks the opening of a major free exhibition at Rheged, Penrith, Cumbria, featuring the photographs I captured for the book, which will run until 4th January 2023. Fell Foot Farm, Little Langdale, and ‘Lakeland Farm Visitor Centre’, Ings – Beef, education, hospitality, sheep 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. Derwentwater dawn (Image credit: Amy Bateman - Forty Farms) How did you go from amateur to professional photographer?Image credit: Amy Bateman - Forty Farms) If you could only use one camera and lens forever, what would it be? Simon and Our Farm are honoured to be a part of ‘Forty Farms - Conversations about change in the landscapes of Cumbria’. British Wool (Image credit: Amy Bateman - Forty Farms) What is your essential kit for the outdoors capturing domestic and wild farm life?