On the 28th January 2026, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society hosted the first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference. Their theme “Every Field, Every Farmer” reflected the unity and resilience that define Yorkshire’s agricultural landscape. It was a great day with a good environment, trade show sold out and topical and engaging speakers.
Beginning with a welcome from Allister Nixon, CEO of YAS (Yorkshire Agricultural Society), who enjoyed his proud moment to welcome the first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference audience, especially farmers, whether large or small-scale. Additionally, asking them to save the date of Wednesday, 27th January 2027, for the Conference’s return.
The first Workshop I attended was ‘From Soil to Start-Up’, sponsored by Pasture for Life. It featured four diversified farmers exploring how farming businesses can evolve beyond traditional farming and build successful ventures alongside the main farming enterprise. The workshop was chaired by Heather Copley co-founder of the farm shop and food emporium, Farmer Copleys. Other speakers included Tom Carlisle, a Yorkshire Dales farmer who combines tourism through glamping pods and online content with his suckler herd, which he runs with his father. Finally, we heard two sisters, Tamara Hall & Camilla Parsonage, who run an award-winning East Yorkshire arable farm, Molescroft Farm, and a children’s nursery, Molescroft Farm Children’s Nursery.