AN EVENT to help farmers prepare for changes in support – and to explore opportunities provided by a major nature-based project – is to be held in Cumbria next week.

The Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS), led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will hold the information event with The Farmer Network at Town Head Farm, Croglin, hosted by Jim Campbell, on Tuesday, July 6, between 2pm And 4pm.

The Fellfoot Forward LPS is a major project for people and nature which focuses on part of the North Pennines AONB in North-East Cumbria and beyond to the River Eden.

The aim of the farmer information event is to help them prepare for the changes in farming support and to look at the opportunities available through the project, with organisations and advisors working at the forefront of changes to farming.

A range of local organisations will be present to discuss utilising a farm’s natural assets to enhance habitats for wildlife and access funding and farm business support.

Topics covered will include:

• Farming in Protected Landscapes funding, available for farmers throughout the North Pennines AONB and the Fellfoot Forward LPS area;

• The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme, which helps family farming businesses prepare for change and is being run by The Farmer Network;

• Hedge management, woodland creation, natural flood management, peat restoration;

• Calculating your farm carbon footprint;

• Farming ambition - business support for young people;

• The latest on Environmental Stewardship Schemes and Woodland creation grants from Natural England.

Mr Campbell said: “The support provided through the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme helped us to get a start with a new farm tenancy and will provide habitat for wildlife and hopefully reduce the risk of flooding in the village.”

Partnering with Eden Rivers Trust has enabled him to create a hedge planting and fencing project.

Kate Gascoyne of the Farmer Network said: “Currently there are so many changes in agricultural support, new information about Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) funding and the opportunity to benefit from business support later this summer through The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme.

“We know that farmers want to find out what is on offer on these programmes as soon as possible. Everything is changing quickly. Jim’s farm is in the centre of the Fellfoot Forward area, and we can hold a Covid-secure meeting for farmers.

“It will be great to be able to meet in a safe environment to give farmers the chance to hear from and talk to advisers and organisation representatives.”

This event is being held outdoors and run within Government Covid guidelines with numbers limited. Booking is essential through The Farmer Network on admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk or 01768 868615