By Adam Day – Managing Director of the Farmer Network Ltd, 01768-868615 or email adam@thefarmernetwork.co.uk
The forthcoming changes to agricultural policy in England will see an increasing emphasis on payments to farmers for the provision of public goods such as cleaner air, water and an improved natural environment. Although this will mean that there is a move away from direct payments, it could provide valuable new funding opportunities for farm businesses that are willing to deliver public goods in future.
In order to help farmers gain an understanding of how farming with nature might work in the future and to engage in discussion with conservation organisations, the Farmer Network is to hold an on- farm event at Gaythorne Hall Farm near Orton.
The event will take place on Thursday December 2nd commencing at 10:30am. Working with the Farmer Network will be long-standing associate Paul Arkle of the Cumbria Farm Environment Partnership together with Bill Kenmir from the RSPB.
Paul Arkle says “We are all keen to discuss what ELM and other schemes might look like on the farm. This event will be a first conversation about how the farming community and conservation organisations could wor
k together to benefit the farm business and the natural landscape in the near future”.
Bill Kenmir of the RSPB, who is the Endangered Landscapes Project Manager for the ELP Cumbria Lakes and Dales Project Cumbria, agrees. “The conservation sector wants to work closely with the farming community. We have ideas and suggestions to offer through schemes such as ELP, and we would like farmers to contribute their thoughts and opinions. Ultimately, we will all benefit”.
Adam Day of the Farmer Network says “The terms Farmer Engagement and Co-Design are often used in DEFRA stakeholde
r meetings. Our event with RSPB will be a two-way conversation and a dual learning process. I sincerely hope the farming community will attend our event in great numbers. Now is the time to be proactive in thinking about the process and possibilities of how farming and nature will work together under new scheme funding”.
Farmers wishing to book a place at the event can do so by contacting the Farmer Network Head Office on 01768-868615 or e-mail admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk
The Farmer Network Ltd is an independent, non- profit, farmer- led organisation that provides help and support to farmers and their businesses, whatever the challenge or opportunity.
