Funded by Leader Plus, this is a project designed to encourage hill farmers to share in their experiences and success stories in diversification with others in opposite geographical locations, but with common grounds.
Glendale hill farmers are pa
rtnered with hill farmers in Cumbria and the Peak District, who share similar farming methods and are now encouraged to discover more about the two regions developing business enterprises, which are a lifeline to keep hill farming alive in today's society.
Members from the Glendale Agricultural Society were visiting many agricultural businesses in Cumbria which included farming water buffalo for meat retailing, a computerised ear-tagged flock of sheep, environmental projects and a variety of other enterprises including a visit to The Farming Life Centre.
These visits between the two areas are intended to help each of the farming communities to investigate how one another are diversifying from mainstream farming, into other businesses whilst maintaining an active role in agriculture.
Glendale hill farmer Stuart Nelson said: "These visits are extremely worthwhile, we are encouraged to see as much as possible in a very short time.
"It is interesting to see how others are changing their farming businesses to cope with the current climate in hill farming, and hopefully we can all learn from each other and be inspired to continue and keep the hills alive."
