As you’ll know, the UK Climate Change Act 2008 set an ambitious target for the UK to reduce its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050. Government recently published a Clean Growth Strategy which proposes approaches to meet reductions by both 2032 and by 2050. Agricultural emissions account for 10% of UK greenhouse gas […]

Defra is funding this project to improve our understanding of the ability of current Agri-environment schemes (AES) to respond to climate change.  In this research, led by CCRI in conjunction with Lands Use Consultants and Environment Systems Ltd, there are two distinct objectives. Reviewing a sample of AES options, which specify dates for required operations […]

After months of waiting, Defra has just announced that the second round of the Countryside Productivity Small Grant scheme is now open with a deadline for applications of midday on 3rd September 2019. Farmers can apply for funding towards the items of equipment listed in the Countryside Productivity Small Grants Scheme handbook Countryside Productivity Small […]

The People’s Vote Campaign is inviting farmers to a Campaigning Workshop on the 13th July at the George Hotel, Penrith. There are number of workshops including one on the likely impacts of Brexit on Cumbria Farming, the Nuclear Industry and Tourism.  Will Cockbain is leading on the impact on Cumbrian farming.     Chris Davies MEP […]

Future Farmers Breakfast Meeting at the Great Yorkshire Show Date:  Wednesday 10th July 2019, 07:45am – 09:00am Venue: NFU Stand, Great Yorkshire Showground, Railway Road, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ   The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is organising a breakfast meeting for Future Farmers of Yorkshire Members.  The event is free to attend for anyone with an entry ticket to […]

Grow Yorkshire is a Local Enterprise Partnership initiative bringing together all the organisations involved in Yorkshire’s agriculture and food industries.  Their website, at www.growyorkshire.co.uk, contains information about the resources available to farmers and they are also trying to secure funding for a Farm Business Advice service. Grow Yorkshire wants farmers to complete a survey to […]

A local company is in the running to be named one of the best rural businesses in the UK after being shortlisted for a regional Rural Business Award. The Rural Law Practice, part of Thomson Hayton Winkley, from Cumbria has been shortlisted in the North Category at the 2019/20 Rural Business Awards, held in partnership […]

We are regularly getting calls from farmers waiting for the second round to open of this popular scheme.  Defra announced a further £30 million for the scheme last October and said it would open in “early 2019” but still no sign and it is almost July now.  We understand there should be an increased list […]

Stewardship Payments The Rural Payments Agency announced this week that outstanding payments will be made by the end of July and it will be contacting all unpaid farmers this week to provide an update.   Environmental Stewardship Contact details From 1 July, enquiries about Environmental Stewardship will no longer be dealt with by Natural England […]

Places are available for 2 young farmers from the Westmorland Dales to gain work experience on farms in the area and benefit from a training bursary worth £1,250. The Farmer Network has been awarded funding from the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme to help 2 young farmers aged between 18 and 25 to gain work […]

COUNTRYSIDE WORKER APPRENTICE – Click the link below to find out more  Apprenticeships recruitment V3 18 month Apprenticeship Full-time – 37 hours £4.50 per hour for year 1.  Rising to the national minimum wage in the second year. This apprenticeship is based at our office in Tebay. The Westmorland Dales is a beautiful landscape within […]

Please read below and click the link to find out more about The plight of the red squirrel – Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group The Plight of the Red Squirrel Nearly 40 years ago, I arranged a meeting of a few landowners and land managers to discuss the impending and inevitable arrival of grey […]