On the 2nd June, Shed Talks Live came to Collingbourne Kingston for an evening of honest conversations about what it takes to build a resilient farm business in 2026. A huge thanks to our hosts the Homer family and Hosier family, for allowing us to take over a shed for the day ready for the event.
We heard from four panellists - Geoff Homer, Emily Mee, Jane Lewis and James Small, all honestly sharing what has worked for them, and just as importantly what hasn't. One thing they all had in common was that there is no such thing as a bad decision. Stick to your guns, go for it, and you may be surprised what doors open.
The panel was Chaired by County Vice-Chair Mike Wilkins, who, after a quick turnaround, also became our Key-Note Speaker. Mike reflected on a career of multiple projects - some successful, some not, but noting that mistakes often turnout to be turning points, opening doors he wouldn't have otherwise found. It was great for me to be able to Chair the Key-Note session and have a conversation with Mike, whilst also fielding questions from the audience.
Throughout the event, members enjoyed pizza from a local business and ice cream from ‘The Milk Yard’ by Anne Homer. All washed down with Ramsbury Brewery beer and copious teas and coffees. Thanks again all who attended, our speakers and of course our wonderful hosts.
SFI Update and Ongoing Lobbying
Another conversation during Shed Talks Live was the further detail released on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) the same day. Whilst this additional information is welcomed, we recognise that clarity remains a key concern for members, particularly around scheme rules and long-term budget transparency. As such we are in the process of arranging a meeting with colleagues for you to attend and pose your questions - please keep an eye out for this.
In the meantime will continue to lobby government to ensure farmers have the confidence needed to engage with SFI26 and plan ahead. There are several useful resources available on NFU Online to support you:
Bovine TB Strategy
Just this week, the government’s refreshed bTB strategy has been released. The NFU has responded with a clear focus on the need for a science-led, comprehensive approach that supports farmers in managing disease risk while maintaining viable businesses. Read our response here:
Fertiliser Resilience
At Day One of Cereals, we continued to highlight the importance of fertiliser resilience as a key component of farm business stability. Recent work has focused on ensuring supply chain security and supporting practical solutions for growers. Members can read more about this through the NFU’s fertiliser resilience work here:
As we come closer to Harvest, we are also undertaking our Health and Safety Events across the County - please do watch your emails for the registration links and do try and attend. We hope to see you there.
As always, please do get in touch if we can be of any help.