Belonging and connecting: the value of social and cultural capitals within the UK hill farming community

Abstract

The UK hill farming community has long faced challenges on physical, economic, and social fronts, which are expected to intensify due to post-Brexit changes in farming support. Despite these difficulties, the community generates a range of natural and cultural resources, including biodiversity, flood mitigation, and the cultural landscape of the uplands. Contemporary academia views the community through a multiple community capitals framework aligned with development economics, highlighting the significance of social and cultural capitals in its foundation. This study aims to investigate the value that social and cultural capitals contribute to the community.
Drawing upon existing literature, this study developed a conceptual framework exploring the non-monetary value of social and cultural capitals in the UK hill farming community. This framework was then tested by employing an ethnographic approach, data were collected through various observation activities, supplemented by 35 semi-structured interviews, with Cumbrian farmers. The study findings reveal that social and cultural capitals play a crucial role in establishing and sustaining a shared socio-cultural identity. This shared identity not only serves as the foundation of the community, but also enables key collaborative activities among its members. By utilising social and cultural capitals, farmers can define their individual and group identities, thus determining those who are part of their community and those who are not.
These findings not only provide empirical evidence supporting the importance of social and cultural capitals within the hill farming community, but also shed light on the conflict between farmers and outsiders, stemming from a lack of shared cultural identity. These insights have implications for the future support of hill farming, including facilitating collaborative mechanisms and increasing participation in diversification, agri-environmental schemes and the pubic goods agenda. By recognising the value of social and cultural capitals, policymakers can develop effective strategies to address the challenges faced by the UK hill farming community.

Date of Award	24 Apr 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Cumbria
Supervisor	Lois Mansfield (Supervisor)