Last updated : 29th May 2025
The Forest of Bowland Farmer Group has been developed by the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme. It aims to act as a contact group for Farmers within the Forest of Bowland National Landscape to provide support and connectivity during the agricultural transition. The group was established in April 2023.
Over the three year period we will host 22 themed meetings, delivering information on relevant farming topics which will help farmers adjust during the agricultural transition. The meetings will be held on farms where possible, with farmers who are already involved in that topic, with key speakers and partner organisations invited to deliver information. We hope that these events will be informative, give farmers the chance to explore farming opportunities, and help to develop new friendships and contacts across the National Landscape.
Alongside these events, we will be sending quarterly e-newsletters and email updates which will include details of potential funding opportunities, local training courses and meetings, updates from the rural crime and policing team, and of course our own Forest of Bowland Farmer Group events.
There is no charge for becoming a member and you can choose how involved you want to be, there is no pressure to attend all the meetings.
To sign up please complete your details on this sign up form or get in touch with Laura Simpson laura.simpson2@lancashire.gov.uk
Forest of Bowland Farmer Group Meetings
Our meetings to date have been held on farms across the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. With a variety of topics covered, each meeting has been well attended and we have received very positive feedback. Summaries of each meeting can be found in the e-newsletters further down this page. The themes of the meetings were -
- June 23 - Regenerative Agriculture at Old Hall Farm, Roughlee
- Aug 23 - Nature Friendly Farming in Bowland at Croasdale Farm, Slaidburn
- Nov 23 - Water, Woodlands & Natural Flood Management at Brackenhurst Farm, Tosside
- Feb 24 - Farming & Working with Waders at Lawkland Hall Farm, Eldroth
- May 24 - Woodlands and choosing the right tree for the right place at Carter Fold Farm, Waddington
- May 24 - Rotational Grazing in collaboration with Oakhill Vets and Pasture for Life at Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge
- Jan 25 - SFI Update Meeting at Slaidburn Village Hall, followed by SFI Drop-in Sessions at Hornby and Dunsop Bridge
- Feb 25 - F3A Farming and Forestry First Aid Course at Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge
- March 25 - Diversification at Burn House Farm, Newton-in-Bowland & Wood End Farm, Dunsop Bridge
We have also run a dry-stone walling 'gapping up' course for farmers.
On Thursday 13th June, we hosted the Forestry Commissions CEO Richard Stanford & Director Anna Brown at a Farmers Breakfast with a focus on how trees and woods can provide a multitude of benefits for farms.
Join us for our next meeting -
Saturday 14th June
10am - 4.30pm
Botany, Wildflower & Grasses Training Day
The Gathering Fields, Swainshead Hall Farm, LA2 9DN
Come and learn all about Botany with Laurie Wildwood, a professional Ecological Consultant and Training provider. The day will be focused on wildflowers and identifying grasses in the wildflower hay meadow at Swainshead Hall Farm, Over Wyresdale. Lunch is included.
To book on please get in contact with me laura.simpson2@lancashire.gov.uk to secure your place.
Quarterly e-newsletters
2023-2024 e-newsletters
2024 - 2025 e-newsletters
2025 - 2026 e-newsletters
Useful Contacts for Farmers
Click here to view and download our helpful list of contacts within the local area who can offer advice on different aspects of farming. We hope this will prove useful and save you some time in trying to make contact with those you need! This will be updated as time goes on so do check back.
For more information please contact Laura Simpson on laura.simpson2@lancashire.gov.uk 07720 155 857 or 01200 448 000