Cumbria Current Activities

Business Plan Preparation

The Network is able to prepare business plans for farmers applying for funding to diversify. Farmer Network members get a 15% discount.

Carcass Collection

We help groups set up and manage the collection of dead sheep and lambs in central locations during lambing time. This allows carcasses to be removed quickly and more cheaply than directly off farm. The charge is £9 per sheep or bag of lambs in 2011.

Company Leaflet

We produce a leaflet each year, giving details of the new directors, current membership offer and an application form.

'Cross Check' is a new service whereby we will come to your farm and check the office paperwork. Many farmers use us to get peace of mind before a cross compliance or Farm Assurance Audit. Members get a significant discount on the fees we have to charge. See the leaflet below for more details.

Behind the Scenery DVD Diary

The Cumbria Farmer Network has produced a DVD diary, one for each season of 2007 – based on two hill farms in the Lake District. Also a commemorative DVD of the centenary of the Walna Scar Shepherds’ Meet. Please click on the 'News and Events' tab and select 'DVD's for Sale.' There is discount for trade.

Farming Landscapes

A joint project with Friends of the Lake District, with funding from the Fells & Dales/Solway Borders and Eden Local Action Groups. The project is about educating the public by organising around 50 on-farm events for each of the next 2 years (farm walks, meet the farmer etc.) The Network's role is to help find farmers willing to take part as a host or as a volunteer and help with training.

Fell Gather

This is an annual event, organised by the Network at Cockermouth Livestock Auction in June and part sponsored by Jennings. The event is about telling the story of food from fell to plate. There are many practical demonstrations organised and over 50 stallholders selling local foods and crafts normally attend. Many volunteers help to put this event on, without whom the event would not take place.

Grant Update

CFN prepares information on grants for rural development activity e.g. on-farm investment, training and farm diversification. This document also includes sources of advice and is available in the members section of the website and also summarised in the ‘Grassroots’ newsletter. 

Group buying of Fuel/Electricity

The Network has negotiated with oil suppliers and an electricity broker to obtain discounts for volume purchase. Individuals can obtain quotes for electricity and local coordinators will organise collections each month. This is currently a free service to members.

Group Grant Application Service

We offer groups of members up to three days free support to apply for funding and the facility to manage these projects on their behalf in return for a management fee.

Hill Farm Succession Scheme

This scheme started in February 2011, with funding from the Countryside Fund. It is training seven young people in the skills of hill farming. The young people are enrolled as Level 2 Livestock Production Apprentices with Craven College. The Network finds the young people 3-4 farms to work on over a 2 year period and organises some additional training that is specifically relevant to hill farming. We have additional funding from the two Local Action Groups in Cumbria.

Labour Skills Directory

This is a new service offered to members. It lists people who have different skills who can work in different parts of the county e.g. stone wallers, help with general farm tasks - gathering, milking etc.
 
Livestock Project

The Network manages a large project in partnership with Myerscough & Rease Heath Colleges for the North West Development Agency as part of the Rural Development Programme for England. This project involves organising knowledge transfer events such as local group meetings, farm demonstrations, local research and work with two monitor farms.
The project runs until spring 2013. We can support groups under one of the project themes: Nutrient Management, Animal Health and Welfare or Resource Efficiency. There are many events taking place throughout the year. Further details are available from the 'News' and 'Events' sections of the website.

Low Interest Loan Scheme

We are planning to introduce a new scheme for 18-30 year olds and once we have more details from the funders we will advise you through this site.

'Grassroots' the Farmer Network Newsletter

We produce three or four newsletters each year entitled “Grassroots” The newsletter provides an update on current activities and topical issues. Available to download in the 'Members' section of the website.

Office Support

We are also introducing a new chargeable service to help members make sure that all paperwork in their farm office is in order for cross compliance inspections. Further details to follow.

Plastic Recycling

'Solway Recycling' make area collections and Cumbria Farmer Network organises local mini-hubs. Solway Recycling collect direct from farms. The charge is £17.50 for the Cumbria area.
CFN membership offer is:

•A refund at the year end of £2 per liner
•£50 discount from the new hazardous waste collection service
•Up to 10% discount on products made from recycled material e.g. Stokboard
•A farm Waste Policy folder
 
'Regulation Checklist' folder

All members are given a 'Regulation Checklist folder. This folder helps to remind farmers of most of the different records they need to keep, including some of the more unusual policies. This is an invaluable service and provides reassurance that records are in one place, ready for any inspections. Updates are issued when any significant changes occur.

Sellafield Fund Project

The Network has received funding to run projects to improve technical knowledge on animal health and welfare, nutrient management and resource efficiency.This is in the Copeland and Allerdale areas of Cumbria The money is also being used to fund school visits to farms.

Training Voucher Scheme

We have a scheme to provide forty 15 – 24 year old with £200 of training vouchers for technical training. Examples of training undertaken are B&E trailer tests, chainsaw use, tele-handling etc. Funding runs out in 2011 and we are looking for new sponsors for this scheme.