Farm for the Future
The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project (DHFP) is one of eleven organisations around the UK delivering the Farm for the Future programme, on behalf of the Prince’s Countryside Fund. This aims to support farmers through the current transitional phase of Agricultural Policy, to understand the scale of financial impacts from the withdrawal of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and how to adapt or benefit from these changes eg. identifying how to add value to produce, consider diversification, or incentives for the delivery of environmental goods which Dartmoor is well placed to enhance.
Across Dartmoor more than 50 farm businesses have taken part in this programme since the autumn, starting with introductory meetings followed by specific events delivered by Farm Business and Environmental consultants. These aim to highlight steps that are relevant to the predominantly upland, livestock farmers which can help them to assess their own enterprise, consider how to make efficiencies or reshape their family business, and capitalise on new emerging schemes. Ultimately the programme supports farmers to review their farm business, identify and address any potential weaknesses which may be exacerbated from a reduced BPS income, and take proactive steps for a stronger, more resilient future.
This free programme has worked with the farmers to develop a series of next stage workshops based on their chosen interests.
Across the UK the ambition is to work with 1,000 farm businesses via this programme, and demonstrate the potential for further future work.
The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project has been running since 2003, designed to provide support, advice and training opportunities which reinvest into the local farming community for long term sustainability. Following Covid restrictions, there is a drive to re-engage in the coming months with a number of activities and a refresh of resources – the aim being to expand coverage and representation across Dartmoor, into and well beyond its 20th Anniversary.
Please contact hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk for any enquiries or visit the website: Dartmoor Hill Farm Project | Support for Dartmoor farmers