About Us

The Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture is a partnership between the public sector and the farming, horticulture, food and drink sectors in the Greater Lincolnshire area.

The Forum meets regularly to agree on how to deliver plans and projects that address issues of current importance or that are likely to affect the industry in the future.  It takes action with the aim of influencing policy and decision makers for the protection and benefit of the industry in Lincolnshire.  It encourages and supports projects of other organisations that help Lincolnshire food and farming businesses in a variety of ways.

Agriculture, horticulture and the Food sector is a key and vital industry in Lincolnshire with an estimated value to the County of approximately £1050 million in 2006 with approximately 32,000 people directly employed.  A succession of problems in recent years has badly affected the industry and countryside, resulting in depressed incomes and impacting on rural tourism and business success.

The Forum works with people across all sectors to address as many aspects of Food, Farming and Horticulture development as is feasible that will not duplicate existing effort.  Where there is common ground, projects link in to the GOEM "Think Farming and Food" regional delivery plan.

The work of the Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture is made up of representatives from the following public and private sector organisations:

• Boston Borough Council
• Country Land and Business Association
• East Lindsey District Council
• Government Office East Midlands
• Leading the Ornamental Challenge
• Lincoln City Council
• Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Lincolnshire County Council
• National Farmers Union
• Natural England
• North Kesteven District Council
• North Lincolnshire Council
• PC Tinsley Limited
• South Holland District Council
• South Kesteven District Council
• Tenant Farmers Association
• The Food and Drink Forum
• University of Lincoln
• West Lindsey District Council
• Women's Food and Farming Union
• Young Farmers Club

To see the web link for these go to our Partner Links page.

The Forum's Implementation Plan for 2010 includes the following objectives:

• Influence Rural Development by championing Lincolnshire as a county of food producing excellence and influence the future direction of policies on flooding, utilities and infrastructure
• Support initiatives that have the potential to make a difference to the agriculture and horticulture economy
• Raise awareness of the growing importance of Climate Change and Sustainable Energy in Lincolnshire's agricultural community
• Engaging with people in the educational community including links to University and to the skills agenda
• Encourage and promote Business Development through the Forum's website events to help business growth
• Engage with Lincolnshire's primary production and packaging/processing industries
• Promote the Select Lincolnshire brand marquee
• Develop local authority and private sector links to exchange information and help to link initiatives together
• Help businesses understand changes in planning and planners understand the needs of the farming businesses
• Maintain communication through e-mail, e-newsletters and printed newsletters to help promote services and offer information