The Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network is running a hill farm apprentice scheme – but it needs six more farm mentors to take part from the Wharfedale, Settle and Wensleydale areas.

The scheme is run in conjunction with Askham Bryan and Craven College – thanks to funding from the Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme – and the idea is to give the apprentices experience of three or four farms over the life of the project, which is funded until December this year.

Dave Gardner, from Chapel-le-Dale, who is one of the farmers overseeing the project, said: “Hill farming cannot be learned in the classroom and the farmers who designed the scheme want these young people to stand the best chance of employment when the scheme ends.

“Key to this is them getting experience on several farms to give them a wide range of experience, so I would urge other farmers to get in touch to do their bit to encourage young people into the industry.”

There are six students on the scheme aged between 17 and 23 with varying levels of experience. Whilst on the scheme all have been trained in basic animal care and handling, ATV use, sheep dipping and shearing, dog handling, stone walling, pesticide applications and safety, tractor driving, telehandling and chainsaw use.

“The scheme has been really useful, giving me training in new skills and even though I live on a hill farm I find it interesting to see how other farmers carry out the same jobs in different ways”, said Eddie Hird from Yockenthwaite.

Farmers hosting the young people get a financial allowance.

Anyone willing to help take any of the apprentices either part-time or full time for a set period should contact Kath Jackson on 07527 889311 or the company office on 01768 868615.

The Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network is part of the Farmer Network Ltd.