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26
Jan
Hundreds of farmers expected at major new event in Harrogate this week
Hundreds of farmers will gather in Harrogate this week for a major new event on the agricultural calendar.
The first ever Yorkshire Farming Conference is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and will be held at the Great Yorkshire Showground this Wednesday (January 28).
Nearly 40 industry speakers take centre stage for a series of workshops, including a 2026 briefing for farmers covering financial and policy implications of government announcements, as well as an animal health briefing from leading veterinarian, Professor Jonathan Statham of Bishopton Vets, which has surgeries in Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Thirsk, Easingwold, Northallerton and York.
In addition, more than 60 farming and rural businesses and organisations will be part of the trade show, which is already sold out.
Allister Nixon, chief executive of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said:
This is exactly the response we hoped for. So many people from within this great industry are getting behind the Yorkshire Farming Conference.
By holding a conference that’s loaded with farmer-to-farmer conversations and opportunities to connect with each other, there are so many great reasons to attend as a member of the farming community.
Allister Nixon, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
High-profile speakers include James Rebanks, the Cumbrian farmer and best-selling author, who will deliver an address on the Keynote Stage, sponsored by Barclays, before signing copies of his books, The Shepherd’s Life, English Pastoral and The Place of Tides.
Other industry names on the bill include: Tom Carlisle, Yorkshire Dales farmer and social media star; Sue Pritchard, chief executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission; and well-known carrot farmer Guy Poskitt of Goole-based Mark H Poskitt Ltd.
A wide range of agricultural topics, from whether UK agriculture is more in control since Brexit to farming safer and stronger will be covered by workshops chaired by the likes of Nigel Murray, managing director of Booths, David Exwood, deputy president of the National Farmers' Union, and Olivia Midgley, editorial director of Farmers Guardian.
Best-selling author James Rebanks is one of the speakers.
A session about the farmer’s role in the big food picture will be opened by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith.
For the first time in one place, the conference brings together the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s farming networks – Future Farmers of Yorkshire, Farmer Scientist Network, Yorkshire Rural Support Network, Women In Farming and Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network – to showcase the Society’s work to support education and development, promote innovation and help farmers seize opportunities.
Mr Nixon added:
The Yorkshire Farming Conference is a great way to find out about the many ways you can benefit from the wide-ranging, year-round work of the Society.
We are really looking forward to welcoming the farming community to the Great Yorkshire Showground for this event. It’s going to be a brilliant occasion.
Dedicated networking sessions offer opportunities to meet the society’s networks – the Yorkshire Rural Support Network and the Women In Farming at 10.45am and Future Farmers and Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network at 2.45pm. The Farmer Scientist Network is part of the trade show, and farmers can purchase discounted farmer rate tickets for the Great Yorkshire Show at the society’s stand.
The trade show is a chance to scope out new machinery and technology, speak to rural advisory and professional service providers, and find out about support for farming families. There will be businesses specialising in everything from agricultural technology and farm management software, to fencing and farm buildings. Free blood pressure checks will be available at the Field Nurse stand.
Tickets cost £25 + VAT, and are available to purchase in advance only, online at yorkshirefarmingconference.co.uk until 7pm on Tuesday (January 27), subject to availability.
The main image shows (l to r): Joe Seels, chair of Future Farmers of Yorkshire; YAS chair Paul Russell; Davina Fillingham, a member of the Farmer Scientist Network; Tango Fawcett, chair of Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network; Rachel Coates, show director of the Great Yorkshire Show; YAS chief executive Allister Nixon; Jill Gray, chair of Yorkshire Rural Support Network; and Stephen Crabtree, chair of YAS Charitable Activities Committee.
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