Your Norfolk county NFU update

Flora Archer

Flora Archer

Norfolk County Adviser

It’s been another busy and positive month for Norfolk, with plenty of planning underway as we look ahead to the new membership year.

I recently met with our Norfolk County Chair, Vice Chair and Council Delegate to put together our new County Plan, identifying the key priorities, opportunities and meetings we want to focus on over the coming year. I’ve also been out and about with our local Group Secretaries and branches, helping to develop plans for each of our local areas.

There is a great variety of branch meetings and events already being planned for the year ahead, covering a range of topics that matter to farming businesses across Norfolk. I’d really encourage members to get involved and come along where you can these meetings are a great opportunity to hear the latest from the NFU, raise the issues affecting your business and catch up with other members locally.

A big thank you must also go to the North Walsham office, who kindly supported and hosted our Back British Farming Day activity at the Aylsham Show. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with members of the public and talk about the importance of British farming and the role our farmers play in producing food and looking after the countryside.

Preparations are also well underway for our Norfolk County AGM, taking place on 4 November at Park Farm Hotel. This year, we’ll be joined by NFU Vice President Robyn Munt , and the evening will be a chance to hear more about the work the NFU has been doing on members’ behalf over the past year, as well as giving you the opportunity to ask questions and feed into our priorities.

There’s lots to look forward to over the coming months, and I hope to see many of you at one of our upcoming meetings or events

Event

The Farming Roadmap 2050 - Farm Walks & Talks

The Farming Roadmap 2050 series will culminate with the Norfolk Landscapes Conference & Exhibition on 3 November 2026. Delivered in partnership with the RNAA, Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the conference will bring together farmers, landowners, advisers, policymakers and environmental organisations to explore how farming and nature can work together to build resilient businesses and thriving landscapes.

To see the agenda or book conference tickets, please visit - https://nlce-2026.eventbrite.co.uk

Farm Walk Programme,

All events run from 9:00am to 12:00pm

Tuesday 29th September 
Hall Farm, Repps with Bastwick, NR29 5JU
Future of Agri-Environment Schemes

Book Here - https://farming-roadmap-2050-woodbastwick.eventbrite.co.uk

Tuesday 6th October
Wakelyns, Fressingfield, IP21 5SD
Diversification: Commercial and Land Use Opportunities

Book Here - https://FARMING-ROADMAP-2050-WAKELYNS.eventbrite.co.uk

Tuesday 13th October
North Hall Farm, Shipdham, IP25 7SA
Productivity, Technology and Soil Health

Book Here - https://farming-roadmap-2050-shipdham.eventbrite.co.uk

Tuesday 20th October
Mill Farm, Reepham, NR9 5PQ
Farming for Water

Book Here - https://farming-roadmap-2050-REEPHAM.eventbrite.co.uk

Tuesday 27th October
Morningthorpe Estate, NR15 2QL
New Income for the Farm

Book Here - https://farming-roadmap-2050-morningthorpe.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Start date

17 September 2026 at 4:59pm

End date

03 November 2026 at 4:59pm

Local news

Fire safety advice from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service

The NFU is working closely with NFRS (Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service) as the risk of field fires continues.

They have issued some helpful advice to members on fire prevention, and how they can help if a fire does occur. Farmers may wish to consider:

  • Locating manure and compost heaps well away from standing crops, stubble fields, baled stacks and forestry.
  • Maintaining suitable separation distances from farm buildings, fuel stores, machinery and vehicles.
  • Monitoring large heaps for signs of excessive heat build-up, smoke or decomposition-related heating.
  • Ensuring good access for agricultural machinery and emergency responders should intervention be required.
  • Reviewing storage arrangements during periods of elevated wildfire risk and extreme weather.

Wildfire risk is increasing across Norfolk as a result of prolonged dry conditions and changing weather patterns.

NFU members are therefore encouraged to consider what water sources are available on their farms that could support the fire service during a wildfire or other significant rural fire.

Suitable supplies could include static tanks, bowsers, reservoirs and other fixed or mobile water sources.

All Norfolk fire appliances carry 2-inch male and female banjo couplings, enabling crews to connect quickly where suitable access is available.

f you have a water supply of more than 8,000 litres, please consider notifying the NFRS water officer so that it can be recorded for operational planning purposes.

Contact the fire service water officer