A NEW scheme to help young hill farmers develop their skills is being launched by the Farmer Network in the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria, with the help of a grant from the Prince’s Countryside Fund.

The project will enable 12 of them to work on up to two other hill farms to gain work experience outside the family environment.

This will help broaden their skills, improve their ability to run their own farms, and to offer their skills to other farmers on a self employed basis.

As well as arranging work experience, the scheme will include a training bursary worth £1,250 to help them afford training for statutory certificates such as ATV and tractor driving, and courses designed to help improve their hill farming skills such as walling and sheep dog handling.

Will Rawling, Network chairman, said: “We are always keen to find ways of developing the skills of young farmers and helping them find additional income by offering their skills to other farmers in their area.

“This scheme compliments the £200 vouchers we offer our members for training and shows the importance local farmers place on supporting young farmers in the industry.

“We would like to hear from young farmers interested in being part of the project and from hill farmers interested in providing work for one or two days a week.”

The scheme starts this summer and the deadline for applications is Friday, May 30.

Further details and forms are available on 01768-868615 or by emailing info@thefarmernetwork.co.uk.