Isle of Wight Farming Conference

22/09/2026

RABI has launched a £2 million Emergency Drought Grant to support farming households facing financial hardship as drought conditions continue across parts of England and Wales. Eligible applicants can receive a one-off payment of £2,000 towards household and living costs: https://rabi.org.uk/drought-support/

📢 Applications for Phase 3 of RABI’s £2,000 Emergency Drought Grant are open again today.

Phase 3 is for farming households in the South East region.

If you are planning to apply, please submit your application as soon as you can.

Funding for each regional Phase is limited and applications may close early if all available funding is committed.

If you were unable to apply yesterday, you can apply during today’s application window.

You’ll need one of the following:

➡️ Recent farm or farm business accounts, dated within the last 2 years

➡️ A farm business bank statement from last month

Your name must be clearly shown on the document you provide.

The application form will also ask how the £2,000 grant would help you and your household. It may be helpful to prepare your answer in advance so you can copy and paste it into the form when you apply.

Apply here: https://rabi.org.uk/drought-support/

13/02/2026

IW Farming Conference-That’s a wrap!
Thank you to everyone involved for making this such a positive successful event
Wight Rural Hub Isle of Wight National Landscape Moore Barlow LLP The Garlic Farm John Woolley Ltd Michaela Marie's Healthy Living The Farming Community Network Matt Legge MTN Plant Ltd Isle of Wight Environmental Farmers Group AHDB

12/02/2026

Today’s the day
Farming rarely gives you time to stop and think but today is your chance.
The IW Farming Conference 2026 is about stepping off the treadmill, hearing how others are tackling the same pressures and picking up tools you can genuinely use back on farm.
One day.
Real conversations.
Practical takeaways.
If you're a farmer whose been meaning to book, there’s still time to join us. Use the ticket link below or turn up from 9am at Barton Manor and pay via the QR code.
TODAY Thursday 12 February 2026
£15 – includes lunch & refreshments
Grab your ticket now: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/

10/02/2026

Just two days to go!
The IW Farming Conference 2026 isn’t only about the sessions, it’s about the conversations that happen in between.
Around the refreshments area, take time to visit the networking stands, where organisations supporting Island farming are on hand to:
• Answer questions
• Talk through challenges
• Share practical tools, services and opportunities
• Make connections that last beyond the day
And before you head off…Have a go at the Farmer Strength Challenge!
Led by PT Michaela Marie's Healthy Living, with a small tyre from MTN Plant Ltd , a stopwatch and a leaderboard, the challenge is simple (but not easy)
Go head-to-head with fellow farmers, or just try to beat your own time. A light-hearted test of grit, resilience and bragging rights to round off the day and you can celebrate with a Bloody Mary health shot provided curtest of 's and Isle of Wight Tomatoes.
Thursday 12 February 2026
£15 per ticket – includes lunch & refreshments
Final chance to book: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/

09/02/2026

The IW Farming Conference 2026 Programme Is Now Available
The full programme for this year’s Isle of Wight Farming Conference is now live online and it’s shaping up to be a brilliant day.
Inside you’ll find:
• A keynote from William Chase (Willy’s ACV)
• Three expert panel sessions covering Technology, Team & Resilience
• Full speaker details
• Timings so you can plan your day
• Exhibitors and supporters investing in Island farming
If you’re already booked, take a look and get ready.
If you haven’t booked yet… this is your sign.
View the soft copy programme here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S7UT3E_4O_Rvz_f-fr88jkVaYFjU0RRG/view
Hard copies will be available for all delegates on the day at Barton Manor, perfect for a proper read over coffee.
Tickets are just £15, including lunch and refreshments (kept low thanks to our fantastic sponsors): https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/
We can’t wait to welcome Island farmers, advisers and partners for a practical, honest and uplifting day together.

05/02/2026

One week to go!
We’ll close the IW Farming Conference 2026 by celebrating the agricultural industry by looking beyond the farm gate and recognising the people, pride and purpose that sit at the heart of agriculture.
This final session is a positive and uplifting reflection on the strength and resilience of the farming community, celebrating farming’s wider role in:
• Sustaining rural economies
• Caring for the countryside
• Supporting communities
• Shaping public life
Presented by Dr Jude McCann, CEO of The Farming Community Network (FCN), this session is a moment to pause, reflect and finish the day with confidence, optimism and a strong sense of shared purpose.
The conference will close with reflections from Wight Rural Hub.
Join us on Thursday 12 February 2026 09:00-15:15 @ Barton Manor
£15 per ticket – includes lunch & refreshments
Final week to book: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/
Photo credit: Ralph Smith

03/02/2026

Resilience: Business, Mental, Personal & Physical
Panel 3 at the Isle of Wight Farming Conference 2026
This session looks at resilience as a practical tool, not a buzzword. Staying strong in the face of change. Hear from:
• The Farming Community Network – mental resilience
• Matt Legge – personal resilience
• Michaela Marie's Healthy Living - physical resilience
• The Andersons Centre – business resilience
Sponsored by The Garlic Farm
Thursday 12 February 2026 9-3:15 @ Barton Manor
£15 – includes lunch & refreshments
Book your ticket now: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/

30/01/2026

Introducing Panel 2 'Building the Right Team' at the Isle of Wight Farming Conference 2026
Farming businesses don’t succeed alone. This panel explores how to get the most from your people and professional advisers, saving time, money and stress.
Speakers include:
• Sarah Jordan (Moore Barlow)
• Hannah Kenway (Carisbrooke Vets/Surrey University)
• Emily Norton (AHDB)
Chaired and Sponsored By John Woolley
Thursday 12 February 2026 @ Barton Manor
Tickets £15 – includes lunch & refreshments
Photo credit: Rachel Holmes
Secure your place: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/

28/01/2026

What does £15 get you at the Isle of Wight Farming Conference 2026?
✔ A full day of practical sessions
✔ A keynote speaker who’s built and rebuilt successful businesses
✔ Real-world tech, business & resilience advice
✔ Lunch & refreshments included
✔ Time away from the farm to think, reflect and plan
It’s not a cost, it’s an investment in your business.
Tuesday 12 February 2026
Book now: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/
Photo Credit: Sian Grove

26/01/2026

This isn’t a national conference brought to the Island.
The Isle of Wight Farming Conference 2026 is built for local farms, local businesses and local challenges, delivered by people who understand what farming on the Island actually looks like.
No fluff. No sales pitches. Just practical conversations you can take back to the farm.
Join the conversation on Thursday 12 February 2026
Tickets £15 includes lunch & refreshments
Book your place: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/
Photo credit: Anna Smith, Compton Farm