Last Wednesday evening, a free Pie and Pint night was held at the was held at Alvanley Arms pub, Cotebrook for farmers across the Upper Weaver as part of the United Utilities BRBNW Programme.  This event was run by Mersey Rivers Trust farm advisors who have been working in the area since 2019.

At the evening, whilst pints were enjoyed, presentations were given by both Mersey Rivers Trust and ADAS staff to those present, with extensive opportunities throughout to ask questions and discuss opportunities.

Mersey Rivers Trust highlighted the opportunities for farms in the Darley and Ash Brooks to get involved in the current WEIF funded project to support farms in these catchments with free business advice, Water Management Plans and small amounts of funding for interventions.  ADAS presented on the different ways that emerging agri-environment schemes could benefit farmers for doing work they are already doing, and how they could change some aspects of management to be more water friendly and claim payments for this.

The evening was well received by the 25 farmers in attendance, with two farm visits immediately booked on the evening, and six attendees already having benefitted from farm visits.  Feedback was positive with farmers noting that 'SFI was explained well, and other options too which are daunting to me,' and that they enjoyed 'excellent presentations,' and felt they got a 'better understanding of what help is available.'

Mersey Rivers Trust will continue to host these types of events throughout this year and next year, and if you would like to know more about what we do, and what grants and workshops are available to farmers please email us here to be added on to the Farm Newsletter mailing list.  You can read the latest newsletter here.

You can see the presentations from the evening here and here, and there is more information available on Mersey Rivers Trusts Farming Hub.