It’s all change in the Lake District National Park Authority’s Farming team as there’s promotion for Jasmine Holliday to Farming Officer and the introduction of local farmer, Eliza Hodgson, as a new Assistant Farming Officer.
Dairy farmer Jasmine joined the National Park in September 2021 and has recently been promoted to Farming Officer. She said: “I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of implementing the roll out of the Farming in Protected Landscapes grant funding programme, which was a real success in its first year, allocating £600,000 funding to Lake District farmers.
Jasmine takes over the role from Andrea Meanwell who has moved to the National Trust as Lakes Future Farming Partnerships Manager, and they'll continue to work in partnership to support local farmers.
Jasmine says: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of my new role and continuing to support the Lake District farming community. I’m delighted that we’ve welcomed Eliza to the team and know that her skills complement mine and we will work well together.”
Eliza Hodgson took up her new role at the start of October. She is a sheep and beef farmer, originally from Rydal but more recently farming in Windermere. She has experience of assisting with a successful farm diversification business and website creation. She is a graduate in Agricultural Food Marketing and Business Studies, so brings with her a full suite of skills for her work with the Lake District National Park Authority.
She comments: “I wasn’t actively looking for a new role, but when I spotted this one it was as if the advert had been written for me. I’ve been in post for a few weeks now and am already seeing first-hand the difference that Farming in Protected Landscapes has made to fellow Lake District farmers. I can’t wait to continue to support our farming community in any way that we can. I can see how my skills already fit in well with the team and know that I will learn lots more with Jasmine as my mentor.”
There is still Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funding available this year for projects that can be completed by the end of March 2023. Have a look at Farming in Protected Landscapes : Lake District National Park, fill in the enquiry form with your project idea and the team will get back to you to set up a meeting.
Through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, the Lake District National Park Authority wants to continue to work with farmers, landowners, communities and businesses to balance sustainable, productive, and profitable land management choices to address, adapt and recover from the threats facing farming, nature, climate and communities.
