FiPL Farm Diaries

Meet the team at YDNP: Funding & Support in the Dales

Welcome to a bonus episode of the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this special episode, we're looking ahead. The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) program has been extended for another three years, until 2029. We sit down with Megan Schofield, Laura Mealin and Jonny Walker from the FiPL team to discuss what this means for farmers and land managers in the Dales. We talk through the practicalities of applying, how the team supports applicants every step of the way, and the wide range of projects they are looking to fund. We also hear about the wider farming team, their breadth of expertise and how they help the farming community in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. To find out more information, or to get in touch with the team, visit https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/park-authority/living-and-working/farming/farming-in-protected-landscapes/

The Power of a Network: Farmer-Led Learning and On-Farm Demos

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore the immense value of Farmer Networks. Farming can often be an isolating profession, but by coming together, sharing knowledge, and learning from each other, farmers across the Dales are finding new ways to innovate and thrive. We hear from two key organisations - Pasture for Life and The Farmer Network - who have used FiPL funding to create vibrant communities of practice, proving that the best advice often comes from other farmers. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: * Rob Bunn (Pasture for Life): Rob discusses the success of their FiPL-funded program across the North of England, emphasising peer-to-peer support. * Nick Prince & Ellie Archer (Farmers):Two participants in the Pasture for Life program share their experiences. * Kelsey Ann Williamson (The Farmer Network):Kelsey explains how The Farmer Network supports grassroots farming in the Dales. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk [fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk]

Stronger Together: The Benefits of Farmer Collaboration

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we tackle a subject the farming industry isn't always known for: Collaboration. While farmers are often independent, the guests in this episode demonstrate the immense power of working together. Whether it's a formal cluster, a mentoring network, or a parish volunteer group, the message is clear: we can achieve more for the environment, our businesses, and our mental health when we don't go it alone. A key theme running through these interviews is the vital role of a facilitator - that person who handles the admin, organises the logistics, and allows the farmers to focus on farming. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: * Steve Dunning & Jemma Wilson (Orton Fells Farm Cluster):Steve (Chairman) and Gemma (Facilitator) discuss how neighbouring farms joined forces to gain "clout" and access funding they couldn't get individually. * Rob Bunn (Pasture for Life):Rob manages the FiPL program for Pasture for Life across the North of England. * Drew Woodward & Matt Jenkinson (Crosby Ravensworth Parish Tree Group):Returning guests Matt and Drew explain the mechanics of a community-led tree group. This is episode 11 out of a 12-part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk [fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk]

Integrating Hedgerows and Trees for Livestock and Wildlife

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we focus on Hedges. For centuries, hedges have defined the Dales landscape, but many have been lost to time or neglect. We speak to three farming businesses that have used FiPL funding to reinstate these vital boundaries - not just for the sake of tradition, but to improve stock management, shelter, and biodiversity. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Matthew Lawson (Cautley):Matthew describes the "monumental task" of restoring 4,200 meters of hedging on his high-altitude farm (1,000ft+). Richard Tunstall (Kirkby Stephen):Richard shares how a National Park meeting led to a project replacing single fences with double-fenced hedges. Matt Jenkinson & Drew Woodward (Crosby Ravensworth Parish Tree Group):A collaboration between farmers and a local volunteer group that has planted 7,000 trees and 4 miles of hedges. This is episode 10 out of a 12-part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk [fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk]

Opening the Gates: Managing Educational Visits and Public Access

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we are focusing on the farmers who are opening their gates to the general public for educational and therapeutic visits. We speak to four farmers who are each doing things a little differently, from hosting inner-city school children to providing a safe space for veterans to decompress. A common thread across all interviews is how fulfilling these farmers find this work. They are bridging the gap between town and country, fostering respect for the environment, and providing vital support for mental health. 🎧 In This Episode, We Hear From: Garry Schofield (Buckden):Garry hosts educational visits for school children from urban areas like Keighley and Harrogate. He shares his initial surprise at how little some children know about farming, having never been in the countryside or seen a sheepdog. Rachel Marston (Kirkby Stephen):Rachel actively markets her farm visits to schools and community groups. She highlights the importance of showing the public where their food comes from and the privilege of being able to access the countryside. Frank Hunter (Piper Hole Farm):Frank offers a safe, non-judgmental space for adults, particularly military veterans suffering from PTSD, to decompress and reconnect with nature. Helen Wray (Grassington):Helen and her husband have developed a small rare-breed farm with a museum and accessible footpaths. They host school visits, focusing on the story of wool as a sustainable product and the realities of meat production. This is episode 9 out of a 12-part series. DEFRA have recently announced an extension of the FiPL funding to 2029. Please contact your local FiPL officer for more details. ⁠⁠fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk [fipl@yorkshiredales.org.uk]