CRAVEN hill farmer John Henderson will give an insight into his experiences during more than 30 years of share farming when he takes to the stage at this year’s Northern Farming Conference at Hexham on Wednesday, November 12.

Mr Henderson, of Coniston Cold, has two agreements in place on his family estate and helped the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) develop its recently launched share farming handbook.

He said: “How to get young people started in farming is a regular discussion point but the strength of share farming is that it also provides existing farmers with a phased route out.

“Unless we start looking at more flexible ways to harness new talent, such as share farming, then our industry runs a real risk of becoming the poor relation of European and world farming.”

Mr Henderson has been share farming since the early 1980s. He currently has two agreements in place – one with David Coates, who farms across his Coniston Cold estate and also runs two successful businesses, and the second with Tony Shepherd who farms at St Helens Farm, Eshton, with 150 sheep and a suckler herd.

This year’s conference has attracted nine farmers and industry experts including Defra Secretary Liz Truss, who will all speak on "Which Way Forward?”

Tickets cost £40, or £20 for delegates with a CPH number, and can be ordered online at northernfarmingconference.org.uk or on 01748 907070.