General information on Yorkshire:
FCN Yorkshire
Farming in Yorkshire is as diverse as the county itself, from the rich soil of the vale of York and variety of arable crops grown there to the hills of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, breathtakingly beautiful and an irresistible pull for tourists from all over the world.
However, this brings various challenges and particularly in the Hills and Dales where other means have often been sought to supplement limited income from sheep and cattle farmed there. Tourism and other diversification projects are now an integral part of basic income, however in the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorks Moors, distances are a considerable barrier with inputs always higher and housing a major issue for young and retired alike.
In Yorkshire we have 27 volunteers scattered throughout the county and are extremely fortunate with support from our Director, Richard Betton who serves all our Northern Counties. Richard farms in Upper Teesdale and has many years hands on experience of hill farming with over half of his farm above 2000ft. He is also NFU Council Delegate for North Riding and Farm Liaison Officer for the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service (UTASS).
Our chairman is Howard Petch CBE who also is Vice-Chairman of the FCN Board, and our chaplain Rev. Canon Leslie Morley who is Rural Officer for Ripon and Leeds Diocese and chaplain for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
Volunteers include those from farming backgrounds and associated professional expertise as well as Coordinator, Kate Dale of the Yorkshire Rural Support Network, Bob Baker, Pauline Broadwith, Graham Bulmer and Jonathan Charlesworth, members of the Farming and Rural Business Project run by the Church Regional Commission and supported by Lantra.
We attend the Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live and various other events around the county throughout the year and are happy to attend any event or speak to local church, farming and rural groups wherever possible.
Ultimately it is our aim to reach those farmers and farming families who need support, as soon as possible and stay for as long as required, however long it takes.
Helen M J Benson
Yorkshire Coordinator
