FARMERS, agricultural businesses and anyone with an interest in the countryside are being invited to take part in shaping the South West’s rural future.

The Rural Business School (RBS) at Duchy College is working with partners including Local Enterprise Partnerships, the NFU, and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission to host a week of webinars.

With expert input and examples of best practice, the aim is to reach a consensus on the way forward for the region.

‘By bringing together researchers, practical business owners and policy makers we hope to identify how to marry sustainable and regenerative agriculture with a productive and resilient sector,’ said Robin Jackson, director of the Rural Business School (RBS).

‘Food and farming are core to our region’s economy and if we get it right there will be economic, environmental and social benefits.’

Initially, RBS had planned to host a one-day conference in Cornwall, but COVID-19 means the event is now being delivered online. Webinars will be held from 2pm-3.30pm each day from July 27-31, and will focus on the current challenges and opportunities that exist in areas such as climate change, natural capital and food systems. Several organisations have already produced reports around the food and farming sector – including the NFU’s strategic framework, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission’s Devon Inquiry, the Devon Grass Roots Inquiry, and Tevi; Cornwall’s environment and climate change project.

‘We want to try and pull all of these strands together to better form an action plan,’ explained Mr Jackson.

‘And we want landowners, farmers, rural communities, food producers and policy makers to join the conversation and help shape the direction of travel.’

Sue Pritchard, chief executive at the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, will kick off the series on July 27 with her vision of the future agri-food sector, and will then help draw together an action plan in the closing session on July 31. ‘We are living in unprecedented times, in which the central importance of secure and sustainable food and farming has been shown up in sharp relief,’ she said.

‘The South West peninsula has so many opportunities to develop a truly vibrant, fair and sustainable food and farming system.’

Supporting local supply chains would help farmers get fair returns for producing healthy, nutritious food, mitigating climate change and restoring nature, explains Ms Pritchard.

‘Bringing together this selection of experts will really help shape the conversations we need to have. The benefits will be felt far beyond the agri-food sector, and in healthier, thriving and more resilient communities.’

Paul Cottington, South West NFU environment and land use adviser, will be exploring the concept of public money for public goods, and how to balance natural capital with sustainable food production.

‘If there’s one thing the coronavirus situation has shown us it’s that people really value the food farmers produce, the flowers and trees that they grow, the green space available, and the calming view of the farmed landscape,’ he said.

The Webinar schedule is as follow:

Monday - Agriculture and Food

Tuesday - The Climate Challenge

Wednesday - A Regenerative Approach - Balancing Natural Capital and Sustainable Farm Production

Thursday - Our Food Systems

Friday - Pulling it together - A Consensus and Towards an Action Plan

To book onto the webinars visit https://bit.ly/agri-30