Yorkshire Farming Conference at the Great Yorkshire Showground is on Wednesday 28 January 2026, as farmer Tom Carlisle becomes the latest speaker joining the line-up.
Tom, a sheep and beef farmer in the Yorkshire Dales near Skipton, shares his farming life with more than 50,000 followers on social media. He will be speaking at the Conference about Coxons farm glamping pods, his successful diversification, as part of a panel workshop. Chaired by Farmers Copleys’ Heather Copley and sponsored by Pasture for Life, From Soil to Start-Up will explore what it really takes to make fresh ideas work on the ground.
Tom said: “It is a pleasure to be asked to be involved in the Yorkshire Farming Conference and I very much look forward to sharing my knowledge as well as learning from others.”
Organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the Yorkshire Farming Conference is the first landmark event brought together in collaboration with the Society’s farming networks – Future Farmers of Yorkshire, Farmer Scientist Network, Yorkshire Rural Support Network, Women In Farming Network and Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network. Each of the networks is guided by farmers and funded and coordinated by the Society to support those working in the industry.
As well as a chance to hear from more than 30 industry speakers, the Conference brings the farming community together. During the day, there will be chances to meet with the Society’s farming networks, to connect with like-minded people and find out more about what other opportunities the networks offer, year-round.
The Yorkshire Rural Support Network and the Women In Farming Network will host a networking session between 10.45am and 11.45am, followed by a session hosted by Future Farmers of Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network at 2.45pm to 3.15pm. All conference delegates are welcome at either session. The Farmer Scientist Network can be visited as part of the bustling trade show, which runs throughout the day.
Allister Nixon, CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said: “At the heart of this event is a drive to connect farming people, offer inspiration and ideas, and an opportunity to find out more about what the Society offers to nurture professional development, business direction and health and wellbeing. We want the first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference to leave a lasting impression for the benefit of farmers.”
At the trade show, farmers will be able to scope out new machinery and technology, speak to rural advisory and professional service providers about a range of issues, and find out more about support available to farming families.
Among the 60-plus trade stands will be businesses offering everything from agricultural technology and farm management software, to fencing and farm buildings, and organisations such as the Forestry Commission, National Farmers Union, Natural England, Rural Business Network and the Rural Payments Agency.
Headlining the conference’s Keynote Theatre, sponsored by Barclays, is Cumbrian farmer and best-selling author James Rebanks who will offer an address to farmers on his outlook on agriculture. James is one of a high-profile line-up of farmers and industry speakers who will be discussing big topics, from policy changes to whether UK agriculture is more in control since Brexit, and how to farm smarter using fewer inputs.
The Yorkshire Farming Conference is for everyone working in agriculture and takes place on 28 January 2026 at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre from 9am to 5pm. Farmers can claim BASIS and NroSo (CPD) points at the event.
Tickets, priced £25 + VAT, are available to purchase in advance only, online at yorkshirefarmingconference.co.uk. A discount is available for group bookings of 10 or more. Tickets can also be purchased in-person, subject to availability, from Russells farm machinery outlets in Boroughbridge, Eggborough, Malton and Northallerton.
