A Great Few Days for Island Farming
September 22, 2026

Farmer Update Meeting, Farm Support Hub and plenty of conversations, it was a busy and positive weekend for Wight Rural Hub and the Island farming community

There are times when the value of bringing people together is particularly clear. This was one of them. On Friday evening, farmers gathered at the Chequers Inn for Wight Rural Hub’s latest Farmer Partner Update Meeting. The following day, we were out at Godshill for the Ploughing Match, hosting a Farm Support Hub. Two very different events but with something important in common: they gave Island farmers the opportunity to connect, ask questions, share experiences and access support locally.

A packed and positive Farmer Update Meeting

Our Farmer Update Meeting on Friday 18 September brought together Island farmers, advisers and representatives from Defra, the Rural Payments Agency, AHDB and Catchment Sensitive Farming. The turnout was fantastic and there was a really positive atmosphere throughout the evening. The speakers provided updates on a wide range of issues affecting farm businesses, including:

  • SFI26 and the agricultural transition
  • Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
  • Capital Grants
  • Drought and water resilience
  • Bluetongue
  • AHDB’s practical tools and resources
  • Catchment Sensitive Farming support available on the Island
  • Local weather information through Weather Watchers

But presentations were only part of the evening.

Giving farmers the chance to ask the questions that matter

The Q&A provided an opportunity for farmers to put their questions directly to the people involved in delivering and supporting the schemes. Questions covered some very practical issues, including the complexity of application systems, planning for future agreements, agreement transfers, food production, opportunities for new entrants and younger farmers and access to Higher Tier advice on the Island. There was also useful discussion about how different schemes and grants work alongside one another. For Wight Rural Hub, this direct conversation is hugely valuable. Farmers have an opportunity to explain the practical realities of running a farm on the Island, while the organisations supporting agriculture have an opportunity to hear those concerns directly. It is exactly the kind of conversation we want to facilitate.

From the Chequers Inn to Godshill

The following morning, we were back out with the farming community at the Ploughing Match. This time, rather than sitting around a table, we were in the field with our Farm Support Hub. The Hub brought together information and representatives from a range of organisations, giving farmers the opportunity to drop in for an informal conversation, ask questions and find out more about current support. It was great to see so many people throughout the day. There were plenty of familiar faces, lots of good conversations and, importantly, opportunities to make new connections.

Why these events matter

For a farming community on an Island, opportunities to meet the people behind national schemes and local support can be particularly valuable. Sometimes you might need detailed advice about a grant or scheme, sometimes just who to speak to and sometimes it’s simply good to meet other people who understand farming and have a chat. That is why we believe that face-to-face events still matter. The Farmer Update Meeting provided a space for detailed discussion and questions. The Ploughing Match provided a much more informal opportunity to stop, chat and connect. Both are part of the same thing: supporting a connected and informed Island farming community.

Thank you

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the weekend such a success. Thank you to the farmers who came along and got involved, our speakers and contributors, Defra and RPA, AHDB, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Southern Water and the Ploughing Match organisers. And, of course, thank you to everyone who stopped to speak to us. It was a real pleasure to see so many of you.

What’s next for Wight Rural Hub?

There’s plenty more to come. We’re developing further activities around drought and Bluetongue, as well as progressing our Women in Farming programme following the very positive response to our recent survey. We’re also continuing to plan opportunities for Island farmers to come together, access useful information and build connections across the agricultural community. If you attended Friday’s Farmer Update Meeting, please take a few minutes to complete our feedback survey. Your feedback helps us understand what farmers find useful and, importantly, helps us make sure future activities continue to respond to the needs of the Island farming community.

COMPLETE THE WRH FARMER UPDATE MEETING FEEDBACK SURVEY

Key Resources

Wight Rural Hub
Delivered for the Island, by the Island.
Wight Rural Hub provides a trusted, locally focused point of connection for Island farmers, land managers and rural businesses, bringing people, information and opportunities together.

Disclaimer: This article reflects our understanding at the time of writing. As government policy, grants and scheme guidance may change, readers should verify current requirements and seek independent professional advice where appropriate. Wight Rural Hub accepts no liability for actions taken in reliance on this content.

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