The focus of a rural network that aims to give the countryside a voice is shifting as new devolutionary powers evolve in the region.
The Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network, a group supported by farming charity the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, says it is adapting to changing local and national government agendas as chair Madge Moore begins her third and final term at the helm.
Madge has vast experience working at senior levels with government, regional agencies, trade, education and professional organisations, charities, as well as with employers in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
She is also a board member for the Hull and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, with special responsibility for rural and agriculture, chair of Grow Yorkshire, the rural business initiative of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and a newly appointed member of the North Yorkshire and York Local Investment in Natural Capital Board.
“I am delighted to be re-elected to the position of chair of the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network," she said. "With our active membership, we have made great strides to support Yorkshire's farming, food and rural businesses. However, there is still more to be done which is why we will be focusing more on strengthening our reach into West and South Yorkshire, with the aim of engaging more proactively on a Yorkshire-wide basis, particularly as devolution and the levelling up agenda develops.”
The Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network hosts senior policy makers at the Great Yorkshire Show, while an ongoing project is providing affordable professional training opportunities for food, farming and rural businesses within Yorkshire.
This training support programme started last autumn and has so far included courses about carbon auditing, first aid for farmers, hosting educational access visits on farms (CEVAS), and supporting SALSA (Safe & Local Supplier Approval) accreditation for food businesses. A fresh round of part-funded mentoring and assessment support with SALSA Accreditation is now available, whilst the next first aid for farmers course will be held at Selby Auction Mart on November 13, followed by more CEVAS training in February 2024. For full details and to book places, see yas.co.uk/farming-news.
As the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network forges ahead, Madge as chair will be supported by vice chair Jan Thornton, as well as the network’s executive committee.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here