The Farmer Network Ltd is an independent not-for-profit company providing help and support to farmers in Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales. Throughout the covid-19 pandemic, the organisation has offered a range of support and advice services to help farmers through the crisis.

Currently they are running a number of schemes that include a telephone helpline and the Farm Labour Emergency support scheme. They also provide advice on other support available such as farm business support opportunities.

The Farmer Network has provided further details of their schemes as follows:

Telephone Support– If you need help in any way, you can call the Farmer Network in office hours and we will help to guide you to useful schemes, documents or people. We can help you to work through documents or contingency plans and could help you to source supplies. Just call and we will help where we can. Outside office hours, please leave a message and we will get back to you.

Farmer Network Contact Number: 01768 868615

Farm Labour Emergency support scheme (FLESS) –The Farmer Network has created this scheme to help farm businesses in in Cumbria and The Yorkshire Dales who need of emergency farm labour during the pandemic. We will help to locate and secure the services of emergency farm workers (skilled, paid workers or volunteers) to undertake essential farm tasks, or support with deliveries/ collections, or farm paperwork. We are now creating a register of potential emergency farm workers. You can download the forms here

FREE FARM BUSINESS REVIEWS THROUGH CUMBRIA GROWTH CATALYST  – The Farmer Network has funding from the Cumbria Growth Catalyst programme for farm business reviews to help farmers consider the impact of changes to support payments on their business, understand what grants are currently available and think about options for the future.  Call Veronica on 01524 782797 or e mail:  [email protected] .

BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE PROGRAMME – We are recruiting for the next cohort of young people for this programme of business training, one to one support from a mentor and the opportunity to apply for a small grant or loan.  Email: [email protected].

In addition to the above, The Farmer Network can provide advice on available funding streams, industry news and support, covid-19 updates and much more. Those working in the industry in Cumbria and the Dales that wish to find out more can do so by visiting the website, https://www.thefarmernetwork.co.uk/projects/covid-19-information-and-support/