Free business support is being offered to farmers across Cumbria.
The Farmer Network is recruiting farmers for its new Farm for the Future groups that will meet from October through to December 2024.
The programme, which is funded by Defra, includes a series of workshops and one to one advice to help farmers understand the changes to support schemes and consider future options for their businesses.
This autumn, the groups in Cumbria will be based at Sedbergh, Longtown and Flimby and information evenings are being held on:
- Monday 29th July at Sedbergh Peoples Hall, LA10 5DQ
- Tuesday 6th August at The Graham Arms Hotel, Longtown, CA6 5SE
- Tuesday 27th August at Flimby Sports & Social Club, CA15 8QG
The network was formed almost 20 years ago in Cumbria and continues its mission today to support farmers whatever the challenge, whatever the opportunity.
It prides itself on giving farmers up to date industry information to ensure that they can make informed business decisions going forward.
This has never been as important as the industry now transitions away from the common agricultural policies of old, to new support schemes including environmental land management and stewardship
All meetings will start at 7pm and include a presentation from the Farmer Network’s, Veronica Waller, on grant schemes including an update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) as well as information about the Farm for the Future programme.
Veronica said: “We try to recruit around 20 to 25 farm businesses for each group within a 30 minute drive of the workshop locations.
“The programme is designed to help farmers and their families come together with other farmers from their local community to understand what the changes mean for their businesses and benefit from their shared experience.
“I will be giving an update about SFI 2024 at these information evenings and this will also be covered at the Farm for the Future environment workshop for those that sign up to the programme.
“It is so important that farmers are given the opportunity to understand these new schemes with the Basic Payment Scheme being at least halved in 2024.”
Farmers don’t need to sign up to the programme to attend these meetings and food is provided. To book, farmers should call 01768 868615, or email: [email protected].
