THE Farmer Network in the Yorkshire Dales is celebrating a milestone.

It is ten years since a group of Yorkshire farmers, with the help of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority explored whether the existing Cumbria Farmer Network model could work for them.

With initial start- up funding from the Yorkshire Dales Leader programme and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund, a steering group was formed with help from Farmer Network creator, Paul Harper, and chairman Lake District sheep farmer Will Rawling.

Current Managing Director, Adam Day, who is based at Newton Rigg College in Penrith said: “The ethos of the Farmer Network has not changed since its creation. We remain an independent not-for-profit organisation with the aim of supporting viable and sustainable farming communities, whatever the challenge or opportunity.”

The organisation is farmer-led with a management council of 10 strategically located throughout the Dales. Chair, Derek Harker from Upper Nidderdale in the Eastern Dales, said, “In these changing times is it good to know that we have a support network dedicated to helping farming families and their businesses. Reliable information on policies, grants, funding and on- farm meetings are key elements to this and I am proud of the way this is delivered .”

Farmer Network operates a number of farm-related projects across the Dales, including Countryside Stewardship facilitation fund groups, Sustaining Farming in the Westmorland Dales, Grassroots farm business groups, our “What’s Your Farming Ambition” Programme, a Sheep Health project on liver fluke, and the Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme, together with member services, including group fuel buying and training courses.