NECFC deliver their biggest event to date

March has seen us deliver our biggest event since the launch of the North East Cotswolds Farmer Cluster 5 years ago. Our Food, Farming and Rural Services Trade Fair saw over 250 people come together at FarmED for a day of celebration and opportunity.

The hugest of thanks to everyone who supported this event, from exhibitors and businesses, to speakers and attendees. The aim of the Trade Fair from the outset was to bring together our diverse range of rural businesses for a day of networking, promoting and connecting and, thanks to everyone who walked through the doors, we believe we achieved just that.

The day started with a thought provoking talk from Minette Batters providing illuminating excerpts from the Farming Profitability Review. Reminding us that we need an efficient and profitable UK farming sector producing affordable food for our home consumers and for export. Minette discussed the challenges we face, including cost and availability of inputs, ongoing political turbulence and the need for more supply chain transparency and the need for the UK to significantly increase its plant based protein production. 

It inspired conversations that filtered on throughout the day and provided optimistic discussion of just what is possible and how much has already been achieved.

Further insights throughout the day came from speakers including Tim Coates demonstrating that investment in natural capital can deliver real measurable outcomes, Jonty Brunyee and Tom Hall gave updates on funding and grants. We were delighted to have Good Food Oxfordshire speak about supply chains and initiatives within colleges, schools and their work in helping to restore food systems. Finally a local abattoir update from Claire White, Director of Long Compton Abattoir Group and Phil Gordon-Jones coordinator of the Fir Farm Moveable Slaughter Unit prompted insightful discussion and a call for action to find a new site for the planned Centre of Red Meat Excellence.

For anyone who attended we sincerely hope you enjoyed your day and would very much appreciate your time in completing a very short feedback form.

North East Cotswolds Food, Farming and Rural Services Feedback Form.

In addition to our wonderful exhibitors we would also like to thank a number of businesses who attended as non-exhibitors, contributing greatly to the day.

Burford Garden Company	Houses Horses Hounds	Rebecca Connolly Design
Carbon Quester	Isobel Bretherton PR	Shop Cotswolds
Coln Native Livestock	King John's Cottages	Smith & Clay Butchers
Estate Guard Gates	Little Rollright Farm Ltd	T/A Fieldtown Rural Business Support
Farm2You	Mighty Fine Oaks Ltd	Tellus Natural Capital
Forceleap Farm	MitoKit	Timothy Tasker Architects Ltd
FST Foods	Natural England	Tristan Leslie
Good Food Oxfordshire	Nicholsons	Wykham Park Farm Ltd
Hook Norton Farmers Market	Public House Group

Many of the businesses who attended the Trade Fair can be found on our Directory.

North East Cotswolds Food, farming and Rural Services Directory