THE Farmer Network hosted two farmer meetings to learn more about the opportunities to explore renewable energy on- farm.

The first meeting took place in Penrith and was funded by Eden District Council’s Inspiring Eden Project.

The second meeting was a farm walk and discussion hosted by the Mawson family at Moor House Farm, Orton, near Tebay. This was funded by the Sustaining Farming in the Westmorland Dales Project.

Both events included presentations from Kris Mohindra, NFU Energy who gave an overview of the challenges within the current energy market, other renewable energy options and the value of an on- farm energy audit.

Mark Mawson explained how their 15Kw turbine helps to power their 850-acre farm, milking 340 cows with 580 followers and 700 breeding sheep. The farmers were interested to see the turbine in full operation and to learn about what it delivers to the farm which lies 850 ft above sea level.

Carol Moffat, Project Manager for Farmer Network said:“It is clear from what we discussed at both meetings that renewable energy is very much going to be on the farmers agenda in future. After both meetings some of our members have already decided to explore the subject in much more detail for their own businesses”.