Events
Upcoming events
Please click on the event for more information.
KEY
Industry deadline dates
Wight Rural Hub events
National Sector events
Local Steering Group / Third Party Events
January
Event Details
Nature needs urgent, united action — and the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is stepping up. Covering 20% of England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, this new capital grants programme supports
Event Details
Nature needs urgent, united action — and the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is stepping up. Covering 20% of England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, this new capital grants programme supports bold, practical projects that restore and reconnect habitats under pressure from climate change, pollution, and fragmentation.
Grants range from £1,000 to £75,000+, with flexible support for habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and landscape-scale collaboration. Open to farmers, landowners, conservation groups, and local authorities — with no fixed deadline, but projects must complete by March 2026.
Time
February
Event Details
Nature needs urgent, united action — and the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is stepping up. Covering 20% of England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, this new capital grants programme supports
Event Details
Nature needs urgent, united action — and the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is stepping up. Covering 20% of England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, this new capital grants programme supports bold, practical projects that restore and reconnect habitats under pressure from climate change, pollution, and fragmentation.
Grants range from £1,000 to £75,000+, with flexible support for habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and landscape-scale collaboration. Open to farmers, landowners, conservation groups, and local authorities — with no fixed deadline, but projects must complete by March 2026.
Time
06febAll Day22GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count
Event Details
Big Farmland Bird Count 2026: New digital platform makes counting easier: https://www.gwct.org.uk/news/news/2025/december/big-farmland-bird-count-2026-new-digital-platform-makes-counting-easier/?
Event Details
Big Farmland Bird Count 2026: New digital platform makes counting easier: https://www.gwct.org.uk/news/news/2025/december/big-farmland-bird-count-2026-new-digital-platform-makes-counting-easier/?
Time
12feb9:00 am3:15 pmIsle of Wight Farming Conference 2026Tools to Succeed£15.00 Ticket Left
Event Details
A day of learning, insight and connection for the Island’s farming community Date: Thursday 12 February 2026 Time: 09:00-15:15 (programme to follow) Location: Barton Manor, Barton Estate, Whippingham,
Event Details
A day of learning, insight and connection for the Island’s farming community
Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 09:00-15:15 (programme to follow)
Location: Barton Manor, Barton Estate, Whippingham, Isle of Wight PO32 6LB
Join us for the second Isle of Wight Farming Conference, a dedicated day for farmers, land managers, landowners and rural professionals to come together, share knowledge and explore the future of agriculture on the Island.
Following the success of the inaugural 2025 event, the 2026 conference will bring forward a new line-up of thought-provoking panel sessions, practical discussions and industry-leading speakers. Whether you’re an established business, new entrant, advisor or simply passionate about the future of farming, this conference offers the chance to learn, reflect and connect with others who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of farming on the Isle of Wight.
Throughout the day you’ll hear from experts, meet local organisations and take away practical insights to support your business, your resilience and the Island’s wider rural sector.
A detailed agenda – including speaker confirmations – will be available soon.
What to Expect
- Engaging panel sessions covering technology, business resilience, people, wellbeing, and farming’s role in the wider community
- Opportunities to meet advisors, suppliers and rural support organisations
- Time to connect with fellow farmers, landowners and professionals
- A warm, inclusive space to share experiences and strengthen our rural network
Supporting the Island’s Farming Future
Surplus funds from the conference will be donated to Wight Rural Hub, helping to ensure that free, independent support remains available to farmers and land managers across the Island.
The ticket price of £15 includes lunch and refreshments. With grateful thanks to our headline sponsors: Isle of Wight National Landscape, Moore Barlow & Southern Water, who are supporting this event.
This event is hosted by Natural Enterprise and supported by Catchment Sensitive Farming IW.
Time
28feb10:00 am4:00 pmIW Hedgelaying Competition
Event Details
The Isle of Wight Hedgerow Group exists to encourage the planting of new hedges and the good management of existing ones, and to promote the art of
Event Details
The Isle of Wight Hedgerow Group exists to encourage the planting of new hedges and the good management of existing ones, and to promote the art of hedgelaying. The group organises the Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition and is made up of individuals and organisations on the Isle of Wight who are interested in hedgerows.
Hedgelaying is the traditional way of managing hedges throughout much of England and Wales. It creates a thick barrier from untidy, gappy and straggling hedges. Stems are cut most of the way through so that they can be bent over without damaging them. This traditional country skill declined for much of the 20th century, and at one time looked as though it would die out. However a revival in the late 20th century came from an influx of amateur hedgelayers who now keep the craft alive as a hobby, as well as a small but growing number of professionals who find their services in demand when landowners realise the aesthetic and historic value of a real laid hedge.
- A well laid hedge forms a stock-proof barrier;
- Laying a hedge rejuvenates it by encouraging it to put on new growth;
- Laid hedges are thick and not gappy, giving greater protection to crops and particularly to wildlife;
- A laid hedge looks pleasing and forms a living part of the heritage of our landscape.
Time
Location
Little Duxmore Farm, Rowlands Lane, Havenstreet, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 4DF
March
Event Details
Nature needs urgent, united action — and the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is stepping up. Covering 20% of England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, this new capital grants programme supports
Event Details
Nature needs urgent, united action — and the Big Chalk Nature Recovery Fund is stepping up. Covering 20% of England’s chalk and limestone landscapes, this new capital grants programme supports bold, practical projects that restore and reconnect habitats under pressure from climate change, pollution, and fragmentation.
Grants range from £1,000 to £75,000+, with flexible support for habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and landscape-scale collaboration. Open to farmers, landowners, conservation groups, and local authorities — with no fixed deadline, but projects must complete by March 2026.
Time
31marAll DayFarming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)Apply ASAP & Before March 2026
Event Details
Funding will be awarded to successful applicants throughout the application window, so you should submit your application as soon as it is ready. Contact IW National Landscapes for
Event Details
Funding will be awarded to successful applicants throughout the application window, so you should submit your application as soon as it is ready.
Contact IW National Landscapes for further details.
Time
June
07jun10:00 am4:00 pmOpen Farm Sunday
Event Details
Open Farm Sunday is farming’s annual open day giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about farming and the countryside, and farmers the chance to talk about what they’re so proud
Event Details
Open Farm Sunday is farming’s annual open day giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about farming and the countryside, and farmers the chance to talk about what they’re so proud of: British food and farming!