T: 01822 851370 E: [email protected]
Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
agriculture
The latest NFU digital access survey reveals that rural broadband and mobile coverage still falls short of what British farming businesses need – with over a fifth of respondents unable to access even a ‘decent’ internet...
The latest Rural Crime Report from NFU Mutual offers a detailed picture of the financial and emotional toll rural crime continues to take on our communities. Drawing on annual claims data, rural surveys, and insights...
RABI has announced the forthcoming launch of FarmersAid, a pioneering initiative that will provide farmers with vital, real-time trauma guidance to use in the crucial moments following a serious on-farm accident. Launching in January 2026, the first phase...
DEFRA has announced a boost to food security, with more than £45 million in new grants to drive and develop innovative technologies on farms. From 28 April , applications will open for the brand-new Accelerating Development of Practices...
/Hartpury_Agriculture_Tile.jpg "Latest news from Hartpury Digital Innovation Farm")
New to Hartpury’s Home Farm Hartpury’s Home Farm has just installed two cutting-edge DeLeval robotic milking systems, and the Digital Innovation Farm team couldn’t be more excited! This innovative technology lets cows decide when they want to be...
/Rabi_tile.jpg "RABI’s Recent Impact Report Highlights the Mental Health Benefits of Its Grant for Farming Families")
In 2022, RABI introduced its Return to School (RTS) grant as a response to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the farming community. The grant aimed to alleviate some of the financial anxieties around back-to-school costs, such as uniforms,...
Agri-food’s omission from the list of growth-driving sectors in the Modern Industrial Strategy (MIS) could hamper future opportunities for clean energy and other key sectors, Norfolk County Council and partners have warned the Government. In a letter...
A House of Lords debate held on 21st November, led by Baroness Northover, centred on the pressing issues facing farming families, particularly in light of recent governmental budget announcements impacting inheritance tax. The session illuminated the deep-seated concerns among small...
RABI, the charity at the heart of farming, has launched a new Winter Wellbeing fundraising appeal aimed at supporting farmers and their families during the challenging winter months. The joint appeal with RSABI, the agricultural charity for Scotland, was officially...
Farmers and people living in rural communities are being urged to ‘nip it in the bud’ and get checked for early signs of cancer - as part of a new UK-wide campaign by The Farming Community Network (FCN). FCN...
NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive all our latest news and updates.
HOT TOPICS
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates.
Part of and working with:
