Northumberland is England's fifth largest county, stretching from the Scottish border to the North Sea and encompassing some of the country's most iconic landscapes. From the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park to the 64 miles of coastline.

Agriculture is at the heart of Northumberland's rural economy. The county encompasses many different farming systems from remote upland livestock farms in the hills, to cereal-growing arable farms and livestock finishing units in the lowlands and on the coastal plain.

While Northumberland's scale and geography are among its greatest strengths, they can also create challenges. Many farming businesses are isolated, making it more difficult to access training, support, networking opportunities and services. Recognising this need, the Royal Countryside Fund funded a feasibility study to explore whether Northumberland's farming community would

benefit from having its own farmer network. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Building on that support, funding was secured from The National Lottery Community Fund, enabling Northumberland to become part of The Farmer Network. The Northumberland Farmer Network officially launched in January 2024 and now works to connect, support and strengthen the county's farming community.