Recently, Drigg Young Farmers took part in joint Community Vision sessions with South Copeland and Mid Copeland Community Partnerships to explore their aspirations for their local area.
Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including culture and heritage; technology and innovation in agriculture; mental health and work-life balance; and transport links.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the ideas and priorities that emerged from their conversations – highlighting what they believe would make a real difference for them and their community.
Culture and heritage
• Promotion of farming culture
• Promotion of the ‘Farm Sunday’ programme
• Keeping young people involved at shows, like Young Handlers
• Keeping traditions e.g. dry-stone walling, hedge laying
• Country shows
• Open farm access
• Training courses for young people in forestry, dry stone walling etc.
• Old traditions passed on to younger generations
• Education of Farm to Fork initiative
Technology and innovation in agriculture
• Need for more affordable machinery with technology
• Training/education closer to home
• Better GPS training and availability
• More accurate yield monitoring for fertiliser application
• Better phone signal/internet in rural areas to access new technology
• More local job opportunities connected with agriculture
• Drones for checking livestock
• Lowering carbon emissions through use of cameras to check lambing/calving stock
Mental health and life balance
• Improved work-life balance
• Over-worked, under-paid
• Undervalued; not enough acknowledgement about farming from members of the community
• No time to spend with friends
• Going to the auction is a day off
• The weather influences a bad crop for winter feeding and ruins animals’ health
• Feeling of isolation due to lack of local transport
Transport links
• Clearer, better maintained, and more foot and cycle paths
• Fewer potholes
• Wider roads
• Less wait for tractor and car tests
• A well-maintained and reliable train service and timetable
• Village transport links
• A system to link larger towns
• Infrastructure improved
• Transport to 16+ education to help career choices
• Hedges cut back so there is more room on the roads/cycleways
• Minibus to help get around the small roads
The Young Farmers group and local agricultural shows were seen as valuable ways for people to stay connected, and there was a strong interest in having more social opportunities.
Shaping a Community Vision for South Copeland
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to developing a Community Vision for South Copeland. Your ideas and feedback have been invaluable in shaping the Vision to date.
You may have seen our new leaflet, which summarises progress so far on the Community Vision. It highlights the main themes on how people would like to see South Copeland develop. This Vision will continue to grow and evolve, with plenty more opportunities for you to get involved and share your thoughts
Significant Additional Investment
The community that ultimately hosts a GDF will receive Significant Additional Investment. This investment will be guided by a local community’s Vision and could support areas such as education and skills, transport infrastructure, or new recreational facilities