Allister Nixon, CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society previews the Yorkshire Farming Conference.
The first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference on Wednesday 28 January is an event I’m really looking forward to as it brings together all our work as a Society by drawing on the expertise of our farming networks, all of which are steered by farmers to provide relevant support to those working in the industry.
The success of this approach was highlighted a couple of weeks ago, when on a farm near Boroughbridge, some 125 women were brought together for our Women In Farming Autumn Gathering. They heard three speakers talk with great passion about how they had taken innovative approaches to their food and farming businesses, from diversifying into fresh milk and rare breed meat vending machines to sell direct to the public, to pioneering the way in the UK for premium British pasta production.
Given the feats of entrepreneurial flair explained so well by Helen Stanier, Louise Day and Kathryn Bumby, it was fitting that the venue for the Gathering, Lodge Park Farm, had successfully diversified as a wedding venue and pick your own pumpkin patch. This determination to adapt and drive income in support of core agriculture is replicated at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has diversified over the years to safeguard its ongoing investment in our objective to support and champion farming across the North of England. Profits generated by all our businesses – Fodder, the Great Yorkshire Events Centre and Harrogate Caravan Park – as well as by the Great Yorkshire Show, give us that backing to pursue our goals as a charity.
It is this set up here in Harrogate that gives us the platform to launch the brand-new Yorkshire Farming Conference, to celebrate the brilliance of farming people and businesses like those involved in our Autumn Gathering.
Tickets are on sale now for the conference which will spotlight big topics with leading lights from across farming. It is an event for everyone in the industry, backed by a trade show and with a full day to make connections with others in farming, hear and take part in topical talks and to find out more about what the Society offers.
There will be sessions covering many different topics including farming smarter, policy implications and strengthening supply chains, and others looking at subjects like the world of livestock showing and wellbeing support.
One of the workshops will be about professional development and the power of mentorship programmes. The Society’s Goodall Agri-Development Pathway is a prime example of this kind of support for young people who are starting out in their agricultural careers.
Open to those aged between 23 and 40 who work in farming and allied industries in the North, the Goodall Agri-Development Pathway is a fully-funded training programme. It supports farming’s next generation by developing skills and experience and preparing younger people in the industry for taking on more responsibilities as their careers evolve. There are just five weeks left to apply to be part of the Pathway in 2026 so please do take a look at yas.co.uk for all the details if this is something that may benefit you, a colleague, friend or family member.
Tickets for the Yorkshire Farming Conference at the Great Yorkshire Showground on 28 January 2026 are on sale now priced £25 + VAT and are available to buy online in advance only, here.
