A new group has been set up for those in the agriculture and horticulture industries in Lincolnshire. The Greater Lincolnshire Agriculture and Horticulture Forum aims to lead, influence and champion the agenda for this sector.

Assisted by officers from the county council, the group of around 25 members from the industry will give insight into local agricultural and horticultural needs and issues that can be fed back to national policymakers.   

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy, Environment and Planning at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is a vitally important sector for Lincolnshire’s economy and the nation’s food security. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support the setup of this new forum to make sure that our farmers and growers have a strong voice.

“The council supports farmers in multiple ways from supporting with legislation and compliance, to training and business advice. We’ve now brought all of that together in one place in our bid to protect this sector and see farming businesses thrive and excel.”

To coincide with the launch of the forum, the full range of advice, guidance and help on offer for farmers and growers in Lincolnshire is being highlighted through a new campaign – Keep Lincolnshire Growing.

Keep Lincolnshire Growing

The Keep Lincolnshire Growing website brings together links to a full range of advice, guidance and support for the agricultural and horticultural sector, covering:

Business advice and guidance

  • Business Lincolnshire offers free support to businesses in North and North East Lincolnshire, West Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, the City of Lincoln and Rutland areas. With a specialist advisor for agriculture and horticulture, the Business Lincolnshire team is passionate about helping businesses reach their full potential. Farm businesses in East Lindsey, Boston Borough and South Holland areas should contact their district council for access to business advice. 
  • The broadband team is working towards high-speed fixed wireless broadband for those with LN and DN postcodes, working with BDUK to deliver 'project gigabit' to rural premises and discussing the feasibility of providing private 5G networks in the county's agricultural areas. You can find further information on broadband across the county here.  
  • The UK Food Valley programme in Greater Lincolnshire aims to position the area as a UK leading food sector and a Top 10 Global Food Cluster. The programme supports growth and encourages inward investment by promoting the scale, diversity, and importance of the agri-food sector to the area, ensuring that existing agri-food sector companies and new investors are supported. Some of the UK Food Valley’s key priorities are digital and automation, low-carbon food chains and developing the market of naturally 'good for you' foods.

Wellbeing support

  • Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) is a volunteer-led organisation that provides pastoral and practical support to Lincolnshire's farming and horticultural communities during anxiety, stress, and problems relating to their families and businesses.
  • Lincolnshire Rural & Agricultural Chaplaincy provides pastoral care, giving those in the industry an essential listening ear through difficult times. 
  • Connect to Support is a one-stop, up-to-date source of information about local support services and opportunities. 

Other useful organisations

  • The National Farmers Union is England and Wales's most successful representation body for agriculture and horticulture. They represent more than 45,000 farming and growing businesses. Their purpose is to champion British agriculture and horticulture, campaign for a stable and sustainable future for British farmers, and secure the best possible deal for their members.
  • The Countryside Land and Business Association (CLA) is the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales.

The Growing Lincolnshire site also hosts short YouTube videos of agricultural and horticultural champions who are helping to drive the future growth of the industry: