Local farmers are being urged to take part in the Farm Resilience Programme to find out more about changes to farm payments and to receive free business advice and support.

The Prince's Countryside Fund programme is open to dairy and livestock family farm businesses and helps farmers create an individual farm action plan.

The programme offers support to family farms in 15 locations across the UK each year. Each group has funding to support up to 20 farm businesses with a series of business and environment workshops and one-to-one support to help farmers consider their options for the future.

A welcome meeting for farmers to find out more is being held at Nafferton Farm, Stocksfield, on Wednesday August 25 from 5pm until 7pm. Veronica Waller from the Farmer Network will be giving a presentation about the changes to Farm Payments and the support available through the Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme.

James Standen and Gareth Hancock of Newcastle University will also be offering a farm walk after the meeting, looking at Regenerative Agricultural and rotational/mob grazing.

Danielle Anderson-Walker, from River Catchment Services which is working with the Farmer Network to facilitate the group, said: “It has never been a more important time for farmers to understand the changes to support payments, the impact on their businesses and how they might adapt to cope with these challenges and maximise opportunities.

"This Programme includes a Business Health Check, one-to-one support and a series of workshops covering business and environmental management.

"The other benefit is the support farmers and their families can get from being part of a group of like-minded farm businesses.”

To book onto the meeting, or for more information about the programme, please call Danielle Anderson-Walker on 07939317760 or email d.anderson-walker@tyneriverstrust.org