The Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network is recruiting farmers for new support groups that will meet from October through to December this year.

The Farm for the Future programme, which is funded by Defra, includes a series of workshops and one to one advice to help farmers understand the changes to support schemes and consider future options for their businesses.

This autumn, the Farmer Network will be coordinating groups at Sedbergh in the western Yorkshire Dales and at Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale. Information evenings are being held on:

  • Monday, July 29 at Sedbergh Peoples Hall, LA10 5DQ
  • Thursday, August 1 at Pateley Bridge auction mart.

Both meetings will start at 7pm and include a presentation from the Farmer Network’s Veronica Waller on grant schemes, including an update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) as well as information about the Farm for the Future programme.

Farmers don’t need to sign up to the programme to attend these meetings and food is provided. To book, farmers should call 01768 868615, or email: admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk.

Ms Waller, the Farmer Network’s Senior project manager, said: “We try to recruit around 20 to 25 farm businesses for each group within a 30 minute drive of the workshop locations. The programme is designed to help farmers and their families come together with other farmers from their local community to understand what the changes mean for their businesses and benefit from their shared experience.

“I will be giving an update about SFI 2024 at these information evenings and this will also be covered at the Farm for the Future environment workshop for those that sign up to the programme. It is so important that farmers are given the opportunity to understand these new schemes with the Basic Payment Scheme being at least halved in 2024.”