Farming Futures - Fast Forward to the future

So, it’s happened.

Farming Futures, like the iconic friendly local corner shop, is “under new management”.

OK, so you’ve just got used to it as a handy place to find a wealth of helpful information, chat about new ideas, and pick up some sound advice that’s there to help farming folk navigate the confusing world of our changing climate. And now even that is changing.

But wait on. The new team leading Farming Futures are excited about this opportunity, and want you to share their excitement. And we’re keen to make sure that this particular change doesn’t mean the loss of a friendly and familiar place, but on the contrary is a way to build on its solid foundations, add some new bits for you to explore, and continue the energy and originality that has seen Farming Futures gain recognition (and awards) for what it has achieved.

The new Farming Futures team are lucky to inherit a strong and imaginative platform, thanks to Madeleine, Claire, Will and others at Forum for the Future, as well as all the hard work of the partner representatives. Our job is now to make things happen, and aim for a sustainable and vibrant, diverse and resilient farming industry, that’s adapted to respond to any and all of the rigours and challenges that climate might throw our way.

So things move on, funding sources change (usually downwards!), and as mothers have always told their kids, “when one door closes another door opens”. Or in evolutionary terms, ‘adapt or die’.
And climate change, like any other change, is about adaptation as much as mitigation, or opportunity as much as austerity.

So: Over to the CEUKF

Formed in the spring of 2010 by IBERS at Aberystwyth University, NIAB TAG at Cambridge, and Waitrose, the Centre of Excellence for UK Farming set about the task of encouraging a national network to help researchers and industry work together, and helping move innovation into farming practice.

Communication is a crucial part of making science and technology convert into application and business success, and the CEUKF team were thrilled to be given the opportunity to take a lead in Farming Futures and make it the focal point of CEUKF communication on climate change and sustainability.

Introducing the new team

To help make it all happen, a management team of five are in place to handle the day to day working and direction of Farming Futures.

Tamsin Knight, based at NIAB, is Project Coordinator and Administrator, and first port of call for your enquiries. Ros Lloyd and Colin Merritt share the role of looking after Communications. Stuart Knight of NIAB TAG is the crops specialist and Nigel Scollan of IBERS is the livestock specialist.

This core team will be supported by a growing extended team of specialists from across the CEUKF partner institutes.

Being closely associated with the resources of NIAB TAG and IBERS is a great boon for Farming Futures. Hundreds of meetings, workshops and seminars, demonstration resources, and a wealth of research and knowledge are available to partner with. And we aim to encourage other institutes, companies and specialists to join us, to broaden our coverage and form a national network for knowledge exchange and improvement in sustainable and efficient production.

Of course the success of Farming Futures has been thanks in no short measure to the encouragement and support of all the partners, as well as you, its friends and followers. That must continue and the team are looking for all ideas and offers for meetings, visits, case studies, and sharing of knowledge.

So please keep engaged with us through the Farming Futures web site, our contact phones and emails, and at events.

As any farmer and businessman know, the key to long term success is to always challenge and review the status quo. There’s a train called climate change coming down the track at speed. We don’t yet know what the best action is, but one thing’s certain. Standing still is not an option.

To contact the Farming Futures team

Call Tamsin Knight, Farming Futures Project Co-ordinator on   +44 (0)1223 342329

Or email us at: farmingfutures@niab.com