25 ways to put your pound into the rural economy

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Fish for your supper
It's confusing, the business of buying and eating fish these days. But whether or not it is still OK to eat cod, there are many less celebrated but abundant fish from our shores - spice up some mackerel, buy sardines for barbecues, savour smoked herring and use whiting in fishcakes or pies. And don't discount farmed fish - organic salmon, and halibut from the Hebridean Isle of Gigha, last year's overall winner of the CL and Waitrose Made in Britain Awards. As well as trying alternatives to endangered species, look for fish from certified UK fisheries (they carry the Marine Stewardship Council's blue fish tick logo; www.msc.org/cookeat-enjoy) such as herring, mackerel and Dover sole caught by the Hastings fleet, mackerel from the South West Handline fishery and Thames Blackwater herring.

Nature's best
The herbs and flowers of the countryside have long been used for their healing properties. Now their beauty benefits are being harnessed by a handful of small rural businesses, which not only grow their own crops but prepare the products, too. On its herb farm in Herefordshire, Herbfarmacy (www.herbfarmacy.co.uk) harvests a range of organic plants for its Soil Association-certified skincare collection. Liv O'Hanlon uses the herbs she grows in her Somerset walled garden for her Great Elm Physick Garden range (www.greatelmphysickgarden.com), and in rural Shropshire Julie Lyons hand-makes fragrant soaps from her own flowers and herbs (www.nelliespatch.co.uk).

Raise a glass
In Roman and medieval times vines were planted across the UK and viticulture was an important part of country life. Now, clockwise from left Show your support for the countryside organisations that preserve the beauty of the landscape; buy as much food as possible from the farm shop; seek out soapmakers that grow and prepare their own products; feast on line-caught mackerel from our waters thanks in part to climate change, winemaking is flourishing in rural areas once more, with the number of vineyards increasing from 333 to 416 in the past seven years. Whereas English wine was once something to be sniffed at, it now offers consistent quality, originality and value for money. And our sparkling wines, such as Camel Valley's award-winning ‘Cornwall' Brut, are challenging vintages from across the Channel. To find and buy from your local vineyard, visit www.englishwineproducers.com.

Fresh from the farm

Good news: no matter where we live, we all now have a farm shop, box scheme or market within reach. Seek out those that print the food miles on their labels, sell only seasonal produce and Fairtrade ‘can't-be-grown-here' foods. Gold stars to those who have a butcher and cheese counter, too, so your weekly shop doesn't involve adding to your own food miles. Visit Big Barn (www.bigbarn.co.uk) and FARMA (www.farma.org.uk) to find the best farm produce near you.  

Keep the home fires burning
We use 60,000 tonnes of charcoal each year with more than 90 per cent imported, yet we have the perfect product in our own backyard. By buying British charcoal, you are helping to revive a traditional countryside craft and increase woodland wildlife. Charcoal production involves coppicing - regular cutting of timber from stumps that then re-grow, creating habitats that attract a variety of birds, butterflies and small mammals. In contrast, imported charcoal comes mainly from Brazil, Nigeria and Indonesia where deforestation is out of control and hastening climate change. All British charcoal is accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and, although it is more expensive, it burns longer and does not require firelighters. You can order online at www.ethicalsuperstore.com or visit www.bioregional.com for more information about this green fuel.

The new woodlanders 
To protect the countryside for future generations, farms and woodlands need to be worked sustainably rather than drained of their natural resources. No one epitomises this practice better than green woodsmen, who coppice the trees to encourage regeneration, then craft their home-grown timber into hand-worked hurdles, fencing stakes and furniture, as well as simple carved woodenware. Three such are our 2009 Artisan of the Year Robin Wood (www.robin-wood.co.uk) in Derbyshire, John Waller in Kent (www.underwoodsman.co.uk) and Paul Hodgson in Gloucestershire (www.cotswoldwoodlandcrafts.co.uk). For more about the craft, visit www.greenwoodworker.co.uk.

Out and about 
The rural economy depends, in large part, on its greatest asset - the beauty of the countryside. Membership of a conservation organisation will help to protect and preserve the landscape for future generations to enjoy - direct debits allow the charity to plan ahead. Many also offer a range of interesting activities for country-lovers. By booking a course or working holiday run by BTCV you can learn a new skill such as dry-stone-walling or hedgelaying and meet like-minded people (www2.btcv.org.uk). The Wildlife Trusts, comprising 47 regional groups, manages 2,256 nature reserves where you can lend a hand or simply enjoy a family day out (www.wildlifetrusts.org). This year, Country Living is supporting The Woodland Trust, which has created 250 new community woods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including the CL wood in Hucking, Kent (www.woodlandtrust.org.uk).

A cut above
If you thought salamis, air-dried hams and chorizos come only from the continent, think again - there's a growing band of passionate producers in this country turning pork, beef, lamb and venison into mouthwatering charcuterie. Celebrate these new foods from the countryside with a mail-order delivery of Carmarthen ham, air-dried Herdwick mutton from the Lake District, The Real Boar Company's salami, Trealy Farm pancetta, coppa or chorizo and haslet from The Ginger Pig. Tickle your taste buds by searching them out online and prepare to feast.

Flour power
Milling can take much of the goodness out of wheat, but there are some great ‘real' flours being produced on British farms - in Northumberland, Gilchesters Organics (www.gilchesters.com) grows its own spelt and rare grains, which are stoneground. Glebe Farm (www.glebe-flour.co.uk) in Cambridgeshire, voted most ethical flour supplier, sells organic strong bread flour that travels just 300m from field to mill. Bacheldre Watermill in Powys (www.bacheldremill.co.uk) has a new organic oak-smoked flour, while Doves Farm's 21 home-baking flours are organic and some are glutenfree (www.dovesfarm.co.uk).

Homespun charm
Buying British carpet not only cuts down on ‘pile miles' but also helps our sheep farmers. We have more sheep breeds than any other country in the world and the variety of textures and shades is prized by carpet manufacturers. What could feel more natural than walking on wool spun from native breeds developed over the centuries to withstand harsh weather? The Herdwick breed of Beatrix Potter fame in the Lake District is used by Goodacre Carpets of Kendal (www.carpetinfo.co.uk), while Axminster's latest collection (www.axminster-carpets.co.uk) features Swaledale wool in 20 nature-inspired colourways. Other British brands to support are Brintons (www.brintons.net) and Ulster
Carpets (www.ulstercarpets.com).

Pots of style
Selling a wonderful array of domestic kitchenware and garden planters, village potteries are a must for anyone with a love of beauty in utility. Master potter Mike Crosby-Jones of Gopsall Pottery at Winchelsea Beach, East Sussex, for example, makes beautiful lipped mixing bowls and elegant bread crocks (sold at www.lighthousebakery.co.uk), while Winchcombe Pottery (www.winchcombepottery.co.uk) in the heart of the Cotswolds offers domestic stoneware ranging from butter dishes to beer mugs.

Salt sellers
We rely on faraway countries for exotic spices, but salt has been harvested in Britain since the Iron Age. The Maldon Crystal Salt Company in Essex has been owned since 1882 by the Osborne family and uses traditional methods such as daily hand-raking (www.maldonsalt.co.uk). On the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, Halen Môn began in the Lea-Wilsons' family kitchen just over a decade ago and now sells to 22 countries (www.seasalt.co.uk). The Cornish Sea Salt Co on the Lizard Peninsula is a newcomer that has revived an ancient practice, once vital to the pilchard industry, and is now winning awards for intensity of taste and its strong eco credentials (www.cornishseasalt.co.uk).

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