Farmers are facing a period of change with the UK’s exit from the EU and the changes in support payments proposed in the new Agriculture Bill. To understand the best ways to support farmers through the transition period, Defra is funding pilot awareness raising and advisory programmes.
ADAS, in partnership with the Farmer Network, is running one of these pilots. This includes workshops aiming to raise awareness of the impact of the changes potentially followed by a one to one visit from an ADAS consultant focusing on the individual needs of the farm business. There is no cost to farmers participating in the programme; however, they will need to complete surveys at the beginning and end of the process. These will be fed back anonymously to Defra who will use the results to shape future transition support. The Farmer Network is organising the workshops which will be held as follows:
| Date | Venue | Time |
| Tuesday 10th March | Sedbergh People’s Hall, Sedbergh LA10 5DQ | 11.30am - 1.30pm |
| Wed 11th March | Royal Oak in Settle, Settle, BD24 9RX | 11.30am - 1.30pm |
| Wed 11th March | The Fountain Hotel, Market Place, Hawes, DL8 3RD | 7pm - 9pm |
| Monday 16th March | Hexham Mart, Tyne Green, Hexham, NE46 3SG | 11.30am - 1.30pm |
| Tuesday 17th March | Toft Gate Barn Café, Bewerley, Harrogate HG3 5JE | 7pm - 9pm |
| Wed 18th March | Stoneybeck Inn, Bowscar, Penrith CA11 8RP | 11.30am - 1.30pm |
| Tuesday 24th March | Alston House Hotel, Alston CA9 3RN | 7pm - 9pm |
| Thursday 26th March | The Kellbank, Gosforth, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1JA | 11.30am - 1.30pm |
These dates are provisional and booking is essential – please call the Farmer Network on 01768 868615 or e mail: admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk. For more information about the scheme, please call Veronica Waller on 01524 782797.
SAC Consulting is also delivering a Defra Future Farming Resilience pilot and are planning two workshops on 25th March near Threlkeld and Broughton-in-Furness with one to one support focusing on carbon audits. More details will be circulated in next week’s E News.
