Action Groups - Farming & Rural Communities

The strategy for Farming and the Rural Economy has evolved out of the series of Valley evening farming meetings organised by the local National Farmers Union and the Grass Roots Food Network.

Strategy
To support the sustainable Renaissance of the Upper Calder Valley's rural economy through local food and community based, collaborative action; practical demonstration, marketing and communication and the reconnection of local people in the urban valley floor to the rural tops and sides.

Linking Outcomes and Tasks to Strategic Objectives
In the process of planning a deliverable programme for the Farming and Rural Economy Group (FARE) it became apparent that the various outcomes must be delivered in an integrated way. Projects should not be seen in isolation. They must also make sense within, and contribute to, the overall Upper Calder Valley Renaissance programme. The linked objectives and outcomes are as described in the diagram and the tasks are detailed below.

Creating a Cost-Effective, Accountable Delivery Mechanism
A team of known, local, available, short term consultants with management and administrative skills should be brought together. They would then work in a team context on specific tasks, within a matrix management framework of defined tasks and responsibilities. Each person would have a sound track record in 'doing' rather than 'discussing', being already professionally engaged in this type of work in the local region.

Actions

Revitalising Local Producer/Consumer Food Chain through 'Action Pilots' and Marketing

1. Local and sub-regional food branding
Create a premium 'Valley Brand' accreditation scheme for local food and actively promote it both within and beyond Calderdale in liaison with relevant agencies and farmers, so that producers, consumers and retailers value the label and product association.

2. Direct local supplies of food
Establish dynamic and evolving local purchasing partnerships between producers and across public procurement and business sectors to benefit local producers and consumers and increase trade in quality, sustainable local produce to drive the market.

3. Modernise collaborative retail chain
Re-establish a fully functioning, 'short link' local food supply chain in the Valley, capable of handling produce of all types from 'farm gate' to the retailer and consumer, reducing 'food miles', bolstering retained local income and improving processing facilities.

Creating New/Added Value Local Food and Farming Enterprises

1. Farm, school and community fruit and vegetable pilot
Establish on-going, practical farming, educational and community action that creates wider involvement in the production of food in the Valley, introduces modern production innovation and demonstrates profitable new cropping and addedvalue processing.

2. Farm and community renewable energy schemes
Develop cost-effective water, wind, short coppice and solar renewable energy schemes capable of generating additional farm income, knitting the farming community into the valley wide conurbation, with shared benefits and full involvement of participating farmers.

3. Locally grown niche and alternative field crops
Link the growing demand for 'ethnic' foods with profitable production by demonstrating field scale operational success with local farmers, retailed locally and sold wholesale regionally to reduce dependence on variable livestock prices.

Renewing Traditional Landscape and Husbandry

1. Upper Calder catchment biodiversity and valley sides wildlife enhancement
Work directly with local farmers and relevant agencies to create wildlife 'farm clusters' and 'corridors', linking diversity-rich habitats and reserves and increasing appropriately-sited tree cover, with full participation of involved farmers, local people and schools.

2. Sustainable small scale local stone quarrying
Increase the profitable quarrying and marketing of local stone for local development construction and public realm projects.

3. Farm based walls, drainage and bridleways repair programmes
Revitalise and value the farming community's traditional skills of land management and husbandry, enhancing the visual amenity and quality of the valley shoulder and moor tops, the unique visitor experience and the heritage of the locality.

Remobilising and Reconnecting Local Communities

1. Creative links through the Flying Shuttle
Creating ongoing dialogue and practical collaborations with other Action Groups, communities and schools; reinforcing cross-cutting, 'Flying Shuttle' themes; creatively linking local food, farming and the rural economy to the wider Renaissance of the Valley.

2. Good practice disemmination
Produce digital and audio-visual material for publicity, training and broadcasting, highlighting successes, lessons learnt and methods proven, linked to secondary curriculum, employment creation and overall Renaissance marketing.

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