Why Become a Member

The Farmer Network is organised by farmers for farmers. By joining the Network you will benefit from a host of valuable services. As a member you will also increase your profits far in excess of the annual membership fee that we charge.

Anyone can join the Farmer Network. Full members have voting rights and need a farm holding number with ther farm holding located in Cumbria or the Yorkshire Dales LEADER area. Go to the 'Yorkshire Dales' page and click on the 'Boundary Area Map.' If you do not have a holding number you join as an Associate with no voting rights but access to all the benefits. 

By becoming a member you will also be supporting young people new into the industry and helping to educate the public about farming methods and the countryside. Take a look at the table below to see what benefits are available to members.

Description	Non Members	Members
Attendance at North West Livestock Programme events eg. farm demos. For details click on the ‘Cumbria Events’ and the ‘Yorkshire Dales Events’ pages
Farm walks open to the general public. Click on the ‘Cumbria Farm Walks’ page
Labour Skills Directory - a directory of people with a wide variety of skills who are able to work on farms in Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales. Click on the ‘Labour Skills Directory’ page
'Cross Check' - paperwork audit for inspections. Discount for Members. Click on the ‘Cross Check'/Grants Services pages
Fell Gather a celebration of Lakeland food and farming. Click on the Cumbria 'Fell Gather' page

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Description	Non Members	Members
Cost savings on fuel, heating oil, plastic recycling, electric, carcass disposal, business/technical advice and other products or services on request
Equipment Sharing - help with organising meetings, provide group agreements, source funding
Provision of a 'Regulation Checklist' folder to help with inspections
Organise livestock transport tests with a local provider
Problem solving – our Farmer Coordinators understand your problems and can call on many other experts if needed
Specialist advice and ideas sharing – we design and organise events that farmers want, find the specialist that farmers ask for and find funding
Grants – The Network can find out about grant funding opportunities eg. slurry separators
Advice – the Network can help and advise on new regulations, business plans and grant applications with discounts for members
Group Funding – the Network can apply for group funding and manage the grant for groups. Previous successes include the purchase of weed wipers, mobile sheep pens, and soil aerators
Inform – the Network can find funds and organise open days and farm walks for the general public
Access to the'Members' login section of the website
Farmer Network 'Grassroots Newsletter' - for regular updates on current activities and topical issues
Free £200 training vouchers for 16 - 24 years in Cumbria
Grants and Advice updates - regular updates on different sources of grants and advice for individuals and groups of farmers
Details of how the group buying schemes operate for fuel, heating oil, plastic recycling, electric purchase etc.