Last week we held a very successful 'dry run' of our Day 1 programme for the Hill Farming Training scheme. The purpose of the day was to give us all an opportunity to rehearse the day and to iron out any difficulties. Joe Relph and Tom Lorrains were our hill farmer trainers and the session was held at Joe's farm in Borrowdale. Our willing 'guinea pigs' were Naomi Oakley and Simon Humphries of Natural England. The day provided an introduction to hill farming systems and common land and covered practical farm tasks including helping with basic animal health tasks, fencing and gathering sheep off the fell.
Afterwards Naomi said 'I found the day really useful, Joe and Tom gave a real insight into the farm and their work. I was particularly impressed by the depth of their knowledge of the natural environment and about what motivates them to farm, which is so much more complicated than it appears at first. However, the highlight for me was the ‘Implements Quiz’, I have rarely seen such glee on the faces of farmers!
For more information on the Hill Farm Training Scheme click here
