Two free events are to be held to offer support to those starting or developing a farming business in the Lake District.
The Farmer Network, in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority and the National Trust has organised two events and they will be held on:
- Wednesday, March 2 at the Farmers Arms, Lowick, LA12 8DT and
- Wednesday, March 9 at the Fairfield Café, Mitchells Auction at Cockermouth, CA13 0QQ.
Both sessions will start at 7pm with food provided.
The meetings will be an opportunity to hear from all three organisations about the latest developments on grants and tenancy opportunities and will provide a forum for the next generation to give their views about what support would help them develop their businesses in future.
Kate Gascoyne of the Farmer Network said: “We urge the next generation of Lake District farmers to come along to these meetings which are aimed at restarting the discussions we had at workshops before COVID.”
Lake District National Park farming officer, Jasmine Holliday, said: “The farming community are a huge credit to the Lake District National Park and a key reason why we are a World Heritage Site. We’re going through a really critical period in agriculture and know that our future generation of farmers needs help navigating their way through the coming transition. We are looking forward to meeting this next generation of farmers and better understanding what support we can offer through this time of change.”
Jez Westgarth from the National Trust said: “Farming and the rural economy are heading into a period of huge change, which will bring with it both challenge and opportunity as farm businesses adapt to the changes in Government payments. The National Trust is committed to sustaining the best of farming as a key part of our World Heritage landscape.
“By working together with the farming community, we can jointly maintain our cultural heritage, ensure rural communities thrive, help nature recover and through land management choices help us all be more resilient to climate change.
“We are keen to work with the next generation of farmers as they prepare for this future – be they preparing for their first farm, at the early stages of establishing and developing a farm business, or developing their skills on the family farm – to listen to their views, their needs, and to work together to support them to develop successful businesses and deliver a fantastic range of positive benefits.”
Booking is essential – call the Farmer Network on 01768 868615 or email: admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk.
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