Cumbria Farmer Network - About Us -

 

The Cumbria Farmer Network is a membership organisation, open to farmers and farmer controlled businesses in Cumbria, with an annual subscription of £35 plus VAT, payable on 1 March each year with anyone joining after 1 December getting an extended membership of 15 months.  Anyone else can join as Associates at the same annual fee, but without voting rights.  This fee is reviewed each year at the AGM in January.

The Company was formed in October 2005 and started work in July 2006.  Our philosophy is that local farmers benefit by working together, especially when facing changes in input prices, regulations, environment and the market place that means they need to change management practices.  We believe that some solutions to problems and opportunities are best satisfied by collaborating and our members have a responsibility to develop their own solutions in this respect.  The Cumbria Farmer Network uses local farmers as coordinators to support those who want to collaborate, with professional support.
We have over 500 members who are working together to improve profits.  

 

 Our aims are to:

 

  1. maintain and develop a viable farming community
  2. maximise rural income via food production & other activity
  3. support, inform and educate
  4. raise the profile of Cumbrian farming

 

Members of the Company are entitled to:

 

  1. provision of a website which will be kept up to date and provide information about activities/events, points of contact for advice and funding, links to other relevant websites and space for advertising.
  2. 3 newsletters a year giving up to date technical advice, details of group activity/new business ideas and forthcoming events.
  3. telephone access to advise who to contact for advice and funding.
  4. the opportunity to join local groups supported/organise by experienced facilitators, developing skills/knowledge and identifying/developing new business ideas.
  5. Up to 3 days free support with group project funding applications, the ability to hold funds on behalf of groups and the subsequent management of projects.
  6. the opportunity to meet various funding agencies to help them deliver what farmers require.
  7. a grass-roots led organisation that will help enable your ideas become reality.