Ballakelly Farm recently became the first farming business to gain UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man accreditation.

David Wormald and Rachel Teare from the farm completed six Sustainable Mann sessions on starting and growing a sustainable business, energy use, climate mitigation, recycling, adopting a circular economy approach and the effects of their decisions on wildlife and nature.

Rachel explained that it was all about making the farm ’sustainable and regenerative’.

She said: ’It’s very much the new path that we’re all taking together - changing the way we farm.

’We need to have a return to "old school" farming and I think, for once, the Isle of Man is ahead of the game in that, we’re already way ahead of the big commercial farms.

’We could all make the biggest difference, if we all started buying sustainable food.’

Ballakelly was the only farming enterprise attending the course but Rachel added that she hopes the banking and investment companies who were on it would go on to encourage investment in green businesses.

David Wormald said: ’For us, it was important to get Ballakelly Farm noticed in this area and to be one of the first farms to get the accreditation.

’I thought the course was extremely interesting and really cleverly compiled.

’There were some very interesting facts and very practical steps.

’I loved the diversity of companies taking part, not just banks and finance business but also a recycling business - it was a really broad range.

’One of the most interesting sessions was on recycling. Everyone thinks that on the island everything just gets thrown into the incinerator but this explained exactly what happens to all the items that are put in recycling.

’I am absolutely going to recycle every piece of paper and plastic from now on, and do it the correct way.’

David added that he thought it would definitely be a good thing for other farming businesses to do.

He said: ’In my limited time back in the island, and in the farming community, I get the sense that people want to do the right thing.’