Apedale Farmers Group

13/04/2026

November was a busy and really positive month for Apedale Farmers Group 👏

We kicked things off with a great evening at Lower Chatwall Farm – a big thank you to the Evans family for hosting us, and to Caleb Roberts Insurance for sponsoring the event.

It was a relaxed and practical evening with an interesting farm walk, plenty of good conversations, and a really useful talk from Andrew Williams on farm insurance.

We also held our Farm Water meeting at Acton Scott Village Hall, where John Gadsby from ADAS shared some brilliant insights on the real value of water on farm – from rainwater harvesting to soils, nutrients and natural flood management.

There’s a real opportunity coming together for members around water projects and funding, and it’s exciting to see that gaining momentum.

A huge thank you as well to The little farm house kitchen for catering both events – the food was fantastic as always and very much appreciated 👏

Thanks to everyone who came along to both meetings – it’s great to see such strong support and engagement within the group.

10/04/2026

26/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AyMwHwrVa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We’re officially live! Founded by Shropshire farmer Sam Hartley, Agritenders was built to solve a problem we’ve all faced: the time-consuming, frustrating process of sourcing and selling machinery.

For Dealers: We aren't here to be just another advertising site. We’re your new lead-generation partner. We bring you filtered, high intent tenders from farmers who are ready to buy.

We’re currently onboarding a select group of UK dealers for FREE. No fees, no catch, just a direct line to serious buyers while we scale.

🔗 Dealers: Secure your free spot, get in touch now.

https://www.agritenders.co.uk/

24/11/2025

Shropshire Hills Farming & Nature Hub - consultation

A partnership of organisations (National Trust, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Severn Rivers Trust and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team) have come together to apply for funding from Heritage Lottery called ‘Landscape Connections’. If you’re a farmer, landowner or land manager in the Shropshire Hills National Landscape we would be grateful for your help in answering a short questionnaire. Your answers will be used to help shape our funding application.

Farmers are at the heart of the Shropshire Hills. We need to understand what would genuinely help your farm business thrive in balance with nature – whether that's new skills, better equipment, different income streams, or practical support – so we can make sure the funding delivers what you actually need.

Your input shapes what we apply for – please help us by completing this survey by 30/11/25.

YOUR ANSWERS ARE ANONYMOUS AND NO PERSONAL DATA WILL BE COLLECTED.

Access the survey here -

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uXm6DyNkDUaI7_nD1Moun4JuEvhcWyxKmp1XF59KPx1UOERTNTJPTkQ1MDNZRU43SVY5Wlg5MzFWUi4u

13/11/2025

Hedgerow Hero's 2025/26 Dates.
A fun day out planting hedges for anyone who wants to lend a hand!

Hedge planting/creation is at the heart of the Hedgerow Heroes project and we have planted 24km of new mixed native hedgerow since the beginning of the project 5 years ago.

04/11/2025

Information about the Outdoors For All Report - Click the link to read the full report. 👇

The Outdoors For All report, produced by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Outdoor Recreation & Access to Nature, presents a critical call to action for improving equitable access to the outdoors. Among its 40 recommendations are: • Expanding statutory rights to responsibly access woodlands, we...

07/10/2025

Apedale Farmers Group Meeting – September

We had a great turnout for our latest meeting, kindly sponsored by ADAS RSK.

This month we focused on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Mapping (LNRS) – looking at what it’s all about and how it may shape the future for our members’ farms. Members also had the opportunity to look at their own mapping and make changes where appropriate. It was an informative and engaging session, with plenty of discussion in a really friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

We were also treated to some absolutely delicious food from The little farm house kitchen – a huge thank you to them for the amazing spread!

And of course, a big thank you to ADAS RSK for their support.

30/09/2025

The Rural Services Network (RSN), of which Shropshire Council is a member, has launched a landmark new research project to make sure the voices of rural communities are heard loud and clear in national policy.

The Delivering for All Research Project is a national survey designed to capture the everyday experiences, challenges and priorities of people living in rural England, from small towns and villages to hamlets and isolated communities.

The survey, which takes just 8–10 minutes to complete, asks about key issues including housing, healthcare, transport, digital connectivity, planning, and environmental priorities.

Responses are anonymous, but will directly inform Government departments, Select Committees, and MPs representing rural constituencies. Click on the link in the comments to take part.

20/09/2025

In July, the Apedale Farmers Group held The Weatherproof Farm session, focused on soil structure and compaction.

The ground was a bit hard, but the session was full of valuable insight and discussion.

Thanks to Niels Corfield for leading such an informative evening. https://www.instagram.com/p/DND-9dnNWQ-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

19/09/2025

11/09/2025

Deadline alert 🚜 Farmers and landowners – make sure your LRNS mapping is correct before 15th October. Full details here:
https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/local-nature-recovery-strategy-lnrs/

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!

Have your say on this new strategy.