From September 2024 to January 2025 Norfolk FWAG will be conducting a Test & Trial funded by DEFRA to better understand the attitudes towards collaboration. This ‘Test’ was devised to answer the questions in the collaboration theme:
- How would you look to join/create a collaboration group in your local area?
- Are you aware of what networks exist around you, i.e. of farmers etc.?
- What is it about a financial incentive that would encourage farmers to join a collaborative group?
It can be suggested that DEFRA are looking to learn more about how farmers currently collaborate, and how government can influence and impact collaboration in future. The test created by Norfolk FWAG, and led by Commercial Manager, Jordan Sharman, will see engagement with established, newly established, and non-established cluster groups and facilitators.
The Test & Trial will see small workshops carried out with farmers in cluster groups, and compare findings against workshops of non or newly established cluster groups. Similarities and differences will be captured to see if attitudes to collaboration change depending on the exposure and outcomes of collaboration.
The role and impact of the cluster group facilitator will also be explored, as interviews will be conducted to understand how facilitators can effectively implement collaboration within their groups. These interviews, taking place with facilitators across the UK will shine a light on collaboration best practice, and support future policy and decision making within DEFRA.
Collaboration is an increasingly important aspect of farming, particularly within conservation. The Lawton principle notes that nature should be bigger, better and more joined up; with habitats being more closely grouped together. By working together, particularly within cluster groups and through landscape recovery, the outcomes for nature are much greater.
Contact Norfolk FWAG to learn more about the project, and how we can support cluster groups.
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