FiPL Farm Diaries

Welcome to a bonus episode of the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this special episode, we're looking ahead. The F arming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) program has been extended for another three years, until 2029. We sit down with Megan Schofield, Laura Mealin and Jonny Walker from the FiPL team to discuss what this means for farmers and land...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore the immense value of Farmer Networks. Farming can often be an isolating profession, but by coming together, sharing knowledge, and learning from each other, farmers across the Dales are finding new ways to innovate and thrive. We hear from two key organisations - Pastu...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries, brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we tackle a subject the farming industry isn't always known for: Collaboration. While farmers are often independent, the guests in this episode demonstrate the immense power of working together. Whether it's a formal cluster, a mentoring network, or a parish volunteer grou...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we focus on Hedges. For centuries, hedges have defined the Dales landscape, but many have been lost to time or neglect. We speak to three farming businesses that have used FiPL funding to reinstate these vital boundaries - not just for the sake of tradition, but to improve stock...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we are focusing on the farmers who are opening their gates to the general public for educational and therapeutic visits. We speak to four farmers who are each doing things a little differently, from hosting inner-city school children to providing a safe space for veterans to deco...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore how FiPL grants are helping farm businesses diversify. Farming in the Dales isn't just about livestock on the hills; it's about identifying gaps in the market and preserving heritage in new, commercially viable ways. We speak to two couples who have transformed...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore the Manmade Heritage of the Dales. The landscape of the National Park isn't just shaped by nature; it is defined by the stone structures built by generations of farmers. We speak to three individuals dedicated to restoring these iconic features—from a mysterious 18...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we focus on Farmer-Led Conservation . We hear from farmers who are passionate about protecting one of the Dale's most iconic species - the Curlew - and who are using FiPL funding to gather the data needed to secure its future. We also hear about a landscape-scale recovery pro...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we focus on Practical Habitat Creation . We speak to three land managers who are turning back the clock on small areas of their land - restoring ponds, wetlands, and hay meadows to their former glory. These stories highlight that restoration isn't about sacrificing the farm b...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we dig into the foundation of every productive farm: the soil. However, we are moving away from mechanical interventions. Instead, we explore how livestock management and nature’s own engineers - the humble dung beetles - can dramatically improve soil structure and biology. Join...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we explore the vital role of "baselining" - understanding exactly where you are starting from before planning for the future. Whether it is biodiversity, soil health, or financial sustainability, knowing your numbers is the key to managing change. We speak to farmers ac...

Welcome back to the FiPL Farm Diaries , brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest barriers to modern grazing management: Water . We speak to three farmers who have utilised the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme to fund innovative water solutions - ranging from solar pumps to long-distance mains connections - allowing...

Welcome to the very first episode of FiPL Farm Diaries . This series is brought to you by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. In this premiere episode, we dig into the practicalities, challenges, and successes of transitioning to rotational and mob grazing . We speak with a new entrant farmer establishing his system from scratch, and a landlord-tenant duo working together to improve infra...