The Farmer Network offers support in Cumbria

By Emma Wright, North Pennines AONB Partnership

The North Pennines AONB is fortunate to work with great partners through our different projects. One example is the Farmer Network, who are part of our Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership. A not-for-profit company, the Farmer Network provides help and support to farmers where it is often most needed. Their excellent team of advisors are currently offering vital support to farmers in Cumbria and Yorkshire through the Covid-19 pandemic, just as they have through previous times of crisis such as the Foot and Mouth epidemic.

The Farmer Network have set up the Farm Labour Emergency Support Scheme, which allows farmers to locate and secure the services of emergency farm workers. They have also put together contingency planning templates, which help farmers make and share emergency plans for their businesses. Their advisors are on hand through office hours to offer advice and support, and you can find regular farm business support briefings on their website www.thefarmernetwork.co.uk.

Emma Wright, from the North Pennines AONB Partnership said: “We were happy to offer support to the Farm Labour Emergency Support Scheme by helping to set up and promote this timely support network. Lots of folk have already signed up to help local farmers in their time of need, which shows how ready our rural communities are to rally round and help each other”.

We will be working with the Farmer Network to run training workshops and events for land managers once it is safe to do so again. Fellfoot Forward also offers environmental grants and advisory services to farmers, and we are looking forward to working with partners including the Farmer Network to help local communities recover in the coming months and years.

For more information about Fellfoot Forward, please contact Emma Wright ewright@northpenninesaonb.org.uk