Farmer sought for protected landscape funding panel

With the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme extended for a further year, offering farmers more opportunities for additional funding, Dartmoor is looking to appoint a new panel member to allocate money for projects that deliver benefits to agricultural businesses and the National Park. 

The successful applicant will join the local assessment panel which oversees the allocation of funding through the Defra programme, now in its third year.

The panel member will sit alongside experts including Dartmoor Commoners Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, and representatives from the farming and land management community. 

Since its launch, Farming in Protected Landscapes has awarded more than £1million to projects on Dartmoor.

The money has supported a range of work including the planting of more than 1,000 trees; the introduction of low environmental impact regenerative farming techniques across 2,000 hectares; the restoration of more than 1,100-metres of traditional dry-stone wall and much more.  

On Dartmoor, Farming in Protected Landscapes is delivered through the National Park Authority with an independent local assessment panel makes decisions on funding applications. 

To be eligible, funding bids must benefit nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the National Park, or protect or improve the quality and character of the landscape.

Programme Manager for Dartmoor, James Sharpe, said: “We’re looking for someone who is actively farming on Dartmoor and is keen to support others in improving their business while delivering a range of benefits to the National Park. We have a strong pipeline of projects, and we hope this will continue.  

“This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about Dartmoor and its farming traditions, but also wants to help ensure a high-quality environment with a range of public benefits.”

The panel meets every six weeks with expenses paid for time and travel. Apply by sending a personal statement outlining relevant knowledge and experience to fipl@dartmoor.gov.uk. For an informal discussion contact James on 01626 832 093.