Unlock the benefits of Nature-Friendly Farming
Are you ready to farm smarter, cut costs and protect the environment? In today’s world, nature-friendly farming is more important – and more rewarding – than ever.
Cumbria Connect is offering two fully funded support programmes to help farmers in the Cumbria Connect area, around the Lowther Valley and Upper Lune Valley, harness the opportunities and benefits of farming with nature.
These programmes include practical workshops and a collaborative community network, or one-to-one support, all designed to boost your farm’s resilience while safeguarding and enhancing its natural resources, giving you the tools to thrive sustainably for years to come.
Resilient Farming Programme
The Cumbria Connect Resilient Farming Programme has been designed by farmers, for farmers. This hands-on programme offers practical workshops, advice and the chance to share your knowledge and connect with other local farmers to tackle challenges together.
Whether you’re looking to manage rising costs, navigate changes to support schemes or look at ways to make your farm more sustainable, the Resilient Farming Programme has something for you.
Each workshop allows you to explore opportunities for your farm, from improving soil health and wintering livestock, to managing trees and hedges on your farm. You’ll leave with information and ideas on the practicalities and funding that you can act on immediately.
Our recent, Wintering Livestock workshop hosted by Richard and Laila Carruthers at Rawfoot Farm, Bampton, brought together local farmers to tackle the challenges of winter grazing and soil management in the face of unpredictable weather patterns. The workshop covered improving soil health and resilience, evaluating the costs and benefits of various grazing systems and integrating Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions into wintering strategies. The workshop also fostered lively discussions and knowledge-sharing, with farmers learning from each other’s experiences.
It’s free to join, thanks to funding from Cumbria Connect and the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, and it is tailored for farms in the Lowther Valley and Upper Lune Valley.
Get involved today and make sure you and your farm are ready to thrive in the years ahead.
Maximise your farm's potential with Cumbria Connect's MSO Busines Support
Farming at the Sweet Spot: A Fresh Approach to Farm Resilience
Farming has never been easy and right now, the challenges feel bigger than ever. Rising costs, unpredictable weather and changes to farm support – can make it feel like the odds are stacked against you. But what if you could not only adapt, but thrive?
That’s where the Maximum Sustainable Output (MSO) approach comes in – an innovative farming advice model designed to help you boost profitability whilst working in harmony with nature.
Whether you’re looking to make your farm more efficient, reduce costs or improve environmental outcomes, Cumbria Connect’s MSO Business Support could help steer you in the right direction for you and your farm.
Farm business reviews are currently undertaken by an experienced farm business adviser who is also farming in the uplands and understands the pressures and issues.
What's MSO and how can it help your business?
Developed by Chris Clark of Nethergill Associates, MSO is a way to identify the ‘sweet spot’ where your farm can achieve maximum profitability while also benefitting the land and wildlife around you. By adopting a more nature-friendly approach, you can lower input costs (like fertilisers and feed) and increase your farm’s financial returns. In fact, research shows that MSO can increase dairy and livestock business system profitability by up to 45%.
How Cumbria Connect supports you
As part of the Cumbria Connect programme, we’re offering fully-funded, one on one advisory sessions with trained MSO experts. Whether you’re looking to reduce reliance on costly inputs or boost your farm’s sustainability, the advisers will work with you to develop a clear, tailored plan for your business.
The process starts with an informal chat – a relaxed opportunity to discuss your farm’s challenges and explore how MSO can help. There’s no obligation to commit to anything as this stage. From there, our adviser can dive deeper with a comprehensive Farm Business Review session where our expert advisers will help you:
- Review your current business model and identify the potentially vulnerable aspects to your business
- Identify areas to reduce costs and increase efficiency
- Work with you to build a roadmap for a more profitable, resilient future.
Who can take part?
This is a unique opportunity for farmers in the Cumbria Connect area – and the best part? It’s fully funded, meaning there’s no cost to you.
The support and programmes are available to farmers and land managers in the CA10 2, CA10 3 and LA8 9 postcode areas.
We recommend using Cumbria Connect alongside support and advice form other sources including land agents, to make fully-informed decisions.
“Farming at the Sweet Spot is more than a business plan and financial model. By embracing MSO, farmers can ensure their businesses are resilient and sustainable. This isn’t just about financial success, it’s about creating thriving farms where livestock, land and wildlife benefit.”
– Annabelle Kennedy, Senior Farm & Wildlife Adviser for Cumbria Connect
Get started today
Ready to see how MSO or the Resilient Farming Programme can help support your farm business?
It all starts with a quick informal chat or email. If you’d like a farm visit, to book a workshop or for more details on the Resilient Farming Programme, get in touch with Annabelle Kennedy by completing the form below or emailing: farming@connectfornature.org.uk
Take the next step towards a resilient, sustainable future for your farm.
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