County Update
As Christmas approaches, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting the NFU over this past year. It has been an extremely challenging end to the year, but what it has shown is how strong we are as an industry when we pull together. We will continue to work as hard as we can on your behalf to get better outcomes for your businesses. We may not have had the change we hoped for pre-Christmas, but when Government returns in January we will be ready to continue the fight against the family farm tax. I hope you all have a lovely Christmas.
Just to remind those who ordered tree packs, these can be collected next week. You can collect your packs between 11am – 3pm on Tuesday 17 December at Townsend Farm, HR9 7JE.
We have created an NFU Herefordshire WhatsApp group which will be used as a noticeboard as necessary to update you on any upcoming events or useful information. Only the admin can post in it to keep messages to a minimum. You can join by clicking this link: WhatsApp Group Invite *By clicking this link you are agreeing to share your name & mobile phone number in a NFU WhatsApp contact group. This will be a closed group to NFU County members only as an alternative means of communication*
The Woodland Trust Giveaway 2024/2025
This winter the NFU is working with the Woodland Trust on another Tree Giveaway, aimed at providing farmers across the South West (including Herefordshire) with complimentary tree packs to enhance farm biodiversity and increase climate resilience. You can apply for up to two tree packs:
- Thorny hedgerow pack: 15x hawthorn; 10x dog rose; 10x hazel; & 10x English oak (hedge tree)
- Livestock browsing shelterbelt pack: 15x hazel; 10x grey willow; 10x aspen; & 10x rowan
- Copse pack: English oak x15; silver birch x10; crab apple x10; & wild cherry x10
- Wet field corner pack: Crack willow x15; downy birch x10; alder x10; & hornbeam x10
You can collect your packs between 11am – 3pm on Tuesday 17 December at Townsend Farm, HR9 7JE
How to participate:
- Visit the Woodland Trust website at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/south-west-tree-giveaway/
- Fill out the online application form, providing basic information about your interest in the free trees programme
- Select the tree packs and protection that best suit your farm’s needs and choose a collection date/site across the South West
- You will receive a confirmation email and a reminder from the Woodland Trust a couple of days before your chosen event with the final details for collection
NFU Midlands Younger Member Events
The next Midlands regional event will be on 5 March 2025 for more information and to register please click here
Farm for the Future – Royal Countryside Fund
Do you want help navigating agricultural policy changes including help with understanding ELMs and SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive)?
If you’re an owner-occupied or tenant farm in England that received BPS, The Royal Countryside Fund’s Farm for the Future programme is in its final year, offering a last chance for free support which includes a 1-2-1 session with a consultant to talk about your farm.
Its online workshops can be joined from the comfort of your own home via Zoom to help you and your farm business navigate policy changes and become more resilient and sustainable.
To find out more and sign up to the online group, contact Christina Hutchings via email [email protected] or call 07715 353 546 or visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture
Call for Participants: Advancing Fairness in the UK Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector – University of Leicester
Are you into fresh fruit and or vegetable cultivation in the UK? University of Leicester are conducting a study on advancing fairness in fresh fruit and vegetable sector and would love to hear from you!
Participation in the study involves farmers who are into the cultivation of fresh fruits and vegetables in the UK and who are suppliers to large retailers in the UK.
All data collected will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and anonymity based on University of Leicester's guideline and used solely for academic purposes.
To participate or learn more, please Visit https://bit.ly/3L6VQTZ or contact Nike directly through [email protected].
Members support would be invaluable to the success of this research.
Questionnaire for pilot study - https://drive.google.com/file/d/16Ip8UzYPUFmq1UG9FIUnzVaHnAQRUG1V/view?usp=sharing
Be vigilant of scam callers
If you receive a call that looks like it is from NFU Headquarters and are unsure then please hang up, do not pass on any personal details.
You can contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to check if we are doing any calls or promotions.
Cyber Crime
The Midlands NFU held an online member meeting with WMRCCU in autumn 2023, the opportunity to register with them is still available, this is aimed to improve your business’s cyber security.
With membership at the WMRCCU, you will receive regular tips and guidance on how to firm up your business’s cyber security.
Register to become a member (for free) today at www.wmcrc.co.uk/membership