Farm for the future: Free business support to help farmers

Farm for the Future

FREE business support to help farmers in Northumberland navigate the changes to farm policy

The Farmer Network is delivering “Farm for the Future” with the Prince’s Countryside Fund.  This free programme involves a series of workshops and one-to-one support to help farmers navigate the changes that will affect the future of their businesses and help them become more resilient.  It is funded by Defra’s Future Farming Resilience Fund and any farm currently receiving the Basic Payment Scheme is eligible.

 In Northumberland, one of the groups is based at the Tynedale Rugby Club at Corbridge.  The Farmer Network’s Senior Project Manager, Veronica Waller, said:

“The series of workshops includes help to analyse the farm business, information about environmental schemes and two workshops on topics decided by the group.  This is followed by one-to-one support to help each business consider their options for the future and Youngs RPS are helping us with delivery of this support for the farmers in the Corbridge group.  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.”

 Over 50 farmers attended a Welcome Meeting in mid November which included a presentation about the changes to farm support and more details about what the programme will offer.  Farmers can still sign up for the programme before the first of the workshops which will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 7th December at Tynedale Rugby Club on the topic of how to analyse your business.

For more information about Farm for the Future and to book onto the workshop on 7th December, please contact The Farmer Network on: E mail: admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk or Tel, 01768 868 615.More information is also at: www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture