The Hill Farming Systems project was developed by the Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER + Programme in partnership with Voluntary Action Cumbria in response to concerns about the future of hill farming. The aim of the project was to investigate the environmental, economic and social value of hill farming systems in Cumbria in order to:

  • make an improved case for continuing and improving financial support for hill farming
  • provide evidence for why consumers might want to pay more for hill farming products
  • help the hill farming community communicate to the public its delivery of wildlife habitats, landscape and public access

A project covering a similar agenda was carried out in our partner LEADER + area of Lozère in Southern France and throughout the project there were exchange visits between the two areas. The project started in January 2006 and was completed at the end of June 2008.

The following reports detail the work of the project and can be downloaded as pdf files:

  • Report on the work of the project and recommendations for the future [download]
  • Executive Summary [download]
  • Appendix 1 - Steering Group membership [download]
  • Appendix 2 - Map of the Cumbria Fells and Dales [download]
  • Appendix 3 - The Environmental, Economic and Social contribution of Hill Farming in the Cumbria Fells and Dales [download]
  • Appendix 4 - How are hill farmers reacting to the changes to the Common Agricultural Policy? Hill Farm questionnaire survey results of 40 farms in the Cumbria Fells and Dales 2006 [download]
  • Appendix 5 - The link with the Lozère region in France - lessons learnt [download]
  • Appendix 6 - Hill Farming Matters Conference Report 31st Jan 2008 [download]
  • Appendix 7 - Marketing the Products of the Hills 3rd March 2008 Seminar Report - [download]

 

Photo: High Wallabarrow Farmhouse   
Chris Chinn