Farmers across Eden are benefitting from a package of farm business support, funded by Eden District Council through its Inspiring Eden programme.
A wide-ranging offer includes a series of workshops and one-to-one business advice tailored to the farm’s situation. This could be in the form of a farm business review; assessment of the farm’s potential for environmental payments; help with diversification; and support with succession planning or retirement.
Veronica Waller, Senior Project Manager, The Farmer Network, said:
“In June, we held a successful workshop on succession planning with over 30 farmers attending. Our next workshop on Wednesday 31st August focuses on energy efficiency and renewables which is particularly important at a time of rising input costs.
There has been a lot of interest in the one-to-one business advice which is worth up to £500 per farm, with farmers seeking help with farm business costings, environmental schemes and succession planning.
Funding for training is also available including training vouchers worth up to £200 and we have recently awarded three young farmers with training bursaries.”
One of the beneficiaries, Charlie Barker, who is a keen member of Eden Valley Young Farmers Club said, “I am delighted with being awarded a Young Farmer Training Bursary which will support me in learning new skills including how to artificially inseminate cows, using a telehandler and the safe use of pesticides. These will be really useful skills to use on the 3 farms that I work on and on our own place”.
We are now wanting to hear from young people interested in our Farming Ambition Programme for 18 to 30 year olds who want to progress a farming related business idea. Applications are also invited from farmers wanting vouchers worth up to £2,500 to help fund the cost of a full carbon audit and/or soil testing for carbon to help farmers in their journey towards net-zero.
Cllr Mary Robinson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Enterprise at Eden District Council said, “The Council is delighted to be partnering with the Farmer Network and sponsoring an Eden farm business support package.
“Training and development is key for our farm businesses to help in planning and meeting the challenges facing this hugely important sector of the economy in Eden.
Offering practical help and guidance, particularly to the younger generation of farmers, will help support the viability and vitality of these businesses in the future and the wider rural communities within which they sit.”
To find out more, visit: https://www.thefarmernetwork.co.uk/projects/inspiringeden/ or contact The Farmer Network on 01768 868615 / email admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk.