The North York Moors Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) Steering Group recently hosted a prospective member meeting in Helmsley to consider whether to establish an EFG area locally. The group was initially scoped within the North York Moors National Park, but the proposed area now extends more widely to include Ryedale and parts of Cleveland; the full proposed geography can be viewed on the map below.
Over 60 farmers and land managers from across the area attended the meeting, demonstrating strong interest in exploring a coordinated, landscape-scale approach to natural capital delivery. Attendees heard from EFG Chairman Rob Shepherd and Managing Director, Digby Sowerby, who provided an overview of how the model operates in practice and answered questions on membership, governance and delivery. Those in the room also heard from Rose Sutcliffe, a Steering Group member, and Local Lead, Isobel Eames, on what it would mean to become an EFG member.
The initial scoping work to explore a North Yorkshire group has been supported through Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) funding via the North York Moors National Park Authority. This support has enabled the Steering Group to assess local appetite and viability, and to bring farmers together to consider the opportunity collectively.
The purpose of the meeting was to determine whether there is sufficient appetite and scale to take a local group forward. As outlined on the evening, a minimum scale of 20,000 hectares is considered necessary to establish a sustainable group capable of securing meaningful natural capital opportunities. Following positive engagement at the meeting, the group is now building towards that hectarage requirement.
Farmers and land managers in the area who would like further information are encouraged to get in touch.
