Training days with the Hill Farm Project

The dark days of winter are often considered a time to batten down the hatches, light the fire and hibernate until spring! However despite the temptation there is much to be gained by embracing new experiences associated with the great outdoors.

The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project (HFP) provides a year round training programme for farmers and local residents involved in managing Dartmoor’s special landscape. Supported by the Prince’s Countryside Fund, the Duchy of Cornwall and the Dartmoor National Park Authority, the HFP is involved in a range of initiatives to support upland farming. In addition to core agricultural training the project is working with the Heritage Lottery-funded Moor than Meets the Eye Landscape Partnership Scheme to develop a new programme of heritage skills.

This winter’s activities include traditional boundary management with a number of courses focussing on hedge laying and dry stone walling. Devon banks are a key element of the Dartmoor landscape and a series of two day courses will be hosted on farms associated with the HFP. This training is suitable for beginners and is delivered by experienced practitioner’s working with small groups of trainees. The emphasis is hands on experience but the courses also provide an overview of the boundaries looking at both their heritage and biodiversity value.

Sandra Dodd of the HFP said: ‘This winter we are delivering a new training offer which includes some heritage skills. As well as boundary management we are planning some Dartmoor specific courses including bee keeping which will run from the spring.’

Winter is also a good time to brush up on essential skills and to plan ahead for new projects in the spring. The HFP are working with the Federation of Devon Young Farmers Clubs to run a farm administration course with Julie Tucker MIAgSA. This will cover all the essentials for managing a farm business and will run over six weeks commencing in January 2018. To compliment this course there will be opportunities to brush up on digital and social media skills again linked to marketing and business development.

Russell Ashford, chairman of the HFP steering group, said: ‘The project is very much farmer-led and we endeavour to meet the training needs of upland farmers on Dartmoor. Farming is a challenging environment in which to make a living and the training programme ensures we are up to speed with regulation and best practice.’

For anyone interested in combining bovine psychology with Valentine’s day then February will see national expert Miriam Parker come to Dartmoor. This event in association with AHDB will provide a unique insight to cattle behaviour with specialist advice on the design of handling facilities. With lunch thrown in it provides the perfect opportunity to combine business with romance!

If you are interested in any of these courses or have other training needs then please contact the HFP Office at hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk or 01822 890913.   

Diary dates: Hedge Laying: February 5 & 6; Dry Stone Walling: January 15 & 16, February 23 & 24, March 30 & 31; Farm Administration: Wednesdays for six weeks commencing January 10; Cattle Handling Behaviour and Handling Systems with Miriam Parker: February 14.