Two representatives of an Eden-based farming support organisation this week met King Charles at a reception held at Buckingham Palace.
Adam Day, managing director of the Farmer Network, and farm co-ordinator Carol Moffat, represented the Cumbrian organisation — one of the country’s leading farmer support bodies — at the event on Monday evening.
It was held to bring together farming organisations supported by the Royal Countryside Fund, which was set up by the King in 2010 when he was Prince of Wales to empower small farming businesses and rural communities. He remains patron of the fund.
The fund supports several farming organisations, including the network, and last year awarded £250,000 in grants, enabling almost 7,500 farming families to be helped across the UK.
Adam explained that support from the fund over a number of years has enabled the Farmer Network to help farmers navigate the challenges they face, offering practical guidance on business, farm administration, managing the consequences of climate change and succession planning, while also addressing a wide range of wellbeing needs.
He said: “Carol and I were honoured and delighted to represent the Farmer Networks of Cumbria, the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland. It is well known that His Majesty is an enthusiastic supporter of UK farming and, in particular, family farms.
“We were grateful that he gave his time so freely on the evening, chatting to all of us with genuine interest in what we are doing to support our farmers at this time. It was an incredible experience.”
Each farming organisation was asked to take along an item which typified the area in which it is based, and the Farmer Network placed two hill sheep fleeces before the King.
One was from a Herdwick sheep — an appropriate gesture since King Charles is also patron of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association.
A representative of the Royal Countryside Fund added: “We came together not only to celebrate the achievements of these farm support groups, but to reaffirm our commitment to standing by them and Britain’s farmers, whose need for their vital help and guidance is as important as ever.
“Together, through mutual support and collaboration, we are doing all we can to ensure the future of our farming families.
“On their backs rest the economic vitality and beauty of rural Britain.”
