The countdown is on for the Isle of Wight Farming Conference 2026 and if you haven’t secured your ticket yet, this is your friendly nudge.

Join us on Thursday 12 February at Barton Manor for a day (09:00-15:15) focused on practical tools for success: technology, team and resilience, designed specifically for Island farmers and land managers.

The full conference programme is now live and available to view here: IW Farming Conference 2026 Programme

Keynote: William Chase – A Story Farmers Will Recognise

Founder of Willy’s Apple Cider Vinegar and creator of both Tyrrells crisps and Chase Distillery, Will’s journey is rooted in farming and shaped by change. From crisps to craft spirits to regenerative apple cider vinegar, his story is one of evolution, resilience and spotting opportunity when markets shift. This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience of diversification, brand building and backing yourself when the landscape changes. If you’re thinking about adapting, investing or future-proofing your business, this is a keynote you won’t want to miss.

Three Expert Panels – Honest, Grounded, Practical

Alongside Will’s keynote, the day features three focused panels:

• Making Technology Work for You
• Building the Right Team
• Resilience: Business, Mental, Personal & Physical

We are incredibly grateful to the organisations and individuals giving up their time to support the event, including representatives from: AHDB, The Andersons Centre, Barfoots, Carisbrooke Vets, CLAAS, Farming Community Network (FCN), John Woolley, LandApp, Moore Barlow, Southern Water. Alongside Island voices including Matt Legge and Michaela Marie’s Healthy Living. We know how precious time is in farming and we are sincerely thankful to every chair and speaker for sharing their insight, honesty and experience.

Networking & Exhibition Stands

The conversations don’t stop when the sessions end. Throughout the day, our networking and exhibition stands in The Granary offer a valuable opportunity to connect directly with organisations working alongside Island farmers every day. This isn’t just a row of logos, it’s access to:

• Practical advice
• Funding and grant guidance
• Business and technical expertise
• New tools and services
• Potential partnerships

Whether you have a specific question, are exploring new opportunities, or simply want to introduce yourself, the organisations exhibiting are there to talk and to help. Many of them are actively supporting or collaborating with the Island’s farming community. Spending time at the stands could spark a new idea, solve a problem or open a door you didn’t know was there. We encourage you to make the most of this resource during refreshments and lunch and to support the businesses and organisations that support Island agriculture year-round. Exhibitors include Isle of Wight National Landscape, Moore Barlow, Southern Water, AHDB, Catchment Sensitive Farming IW, Environmental Farmers Group, FCN, MTN Plant, Smart Wave Business Support and Wight Rural Hub.

Thank You to Those Who Make This Possible

Special Thanks to our returning Headline Sponsors:

• Isle of Wight National Landscape
• Moore Barlow
• Southern Water

Our Panel Sponsors:

• Godwins Solicitors
• John Woolley
• The Garlic Farm

And thank you to those advertising in the programme:

• Carisbrooke Vets
• Catchment Sensitive Farming IW
• Crop Advisors
• The Garlic Farm
• Godwins Solicitors
• Isle of Wight National Landscape
• Isle of Wight Young Farmers’ Club
• John Woolley
• Moore Barlow
• The Royal Countryside Fund
• The Royal Isle of Wight County Show
• Southern Water
• Wight Rural Hub

Supporting the IW Farming Conference ensures that Wight Rural Hub can continue delivering visible, independent and practical support to Island farmers.

Don’t Miss the Extras…

During refreshments and lunch, visit Michaela Marie’s Healthy Living and test your strength with the tractor tyre challenge, stopwatch ready, leaderboard waiting. A bit of friendly competition never hurt anyone! (Tyre curtesy of MTN Plant)

And before you leave, enjoy a complimentary Bloody Mary health shot courtesy of Willy’s Apple Cider Vinegar and Isle of Wight Tomatoes, a fitting (and healthy!) end to the day.

Final Call

If you haven’t booked yet, now’s the time (tickets via: https://www.wightruralhub.co.uk/events/isle-of-wight-farming-conference-2026/). In the meantime, keep up to date with the IW Farming Conference socials by following us on Facebook and Instagram:

We truly hope you will leave the Isle of Wight Farming Conference feeling inspired, uplifted and confident about the strength within our Island farming community.

We’d love to see you there.

The Wight Rural Hub Team
Supporting Rural Enterprise to Prosper
01983 296244
info@wightruralhub.co.uk
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram