This year’s Isle of Wight Farming Conference, held under the theme “Striking the Right Balance”, brought together farmers, advisers, policymakers and stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture on the Island and beyond.
Farm Wight was particularly proud to support this year’s keynote speaker, Robert Shepherd, who represented the Environmental Farmers Group—a pioneering collective whose values closely align with our own. Their work showcases how environmental stewardship and profitable farming can go hand in hand and Rob’s message was an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when farming communities unite with shared purpose.
A key moment in the day was the Future of Farming Subsidies Panel Session, expertly chaired by Farm Wight’s own Robyn, whose knowledge and passion for practical support for farmers shone through. She was joined by a stellar panel: Claire Robinson, Senior Countryside Adviser at the NFU; Richard Dormor, local farmer; and Andy Guy, an experienced consultant. Together, they unpacked the current landscape of agricultural support and explored practical ways to navigate the transition and maximise opportunities for Island farm businesses.
The conference also featured two further panel sessions:
- Farming in a Changing Climate: Exploring resilience, innovation and adaptation for future-proofing farming.
- Land Use on the Isle of Wight: A focused discussion on balancing food production, nature recovery and economic viability within the Island’s unique context.
Robyn returned to the stage later in the day for a special session on behalf of the Wight Rural Hub, alongside Graham Biss and Estee Phillimore, which was sponsored by NFU Mutual Isle of Wight. The trio delivered an insightful overview of the Hub’s journey to date: from its formation as a response to the need for Island-specific support, to its wide-reaching impact through events, one-to-one support and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The session included a heartfelt call to action for commercial and community backing, as government-funded resilience support draws to a close.
In her closing speech, Robyn offered an impassioned and optimistic summary of the day. She thanked the team, sponsors, speakers and attendees for their commitment to progress and collaboration. In her words:
“Whilst there has been a lot of talking today, that is balanced I hope with good listening—and so good learning. In every challenge there is also an opportunity… The Island can be a leading example of that opportunity. We can thrive in the adversity of our situation, make use of our perceived limitations and shout proudly of what we do and can achieve.”
The conference closed on a note of hope, unity, and determination—with Robyn urging everyone to turn discussion into action.
From all of us at Farm Wight, thank you to those who helped make the event a success. We look forward to seeing you at the IW Farming Conference 2026 as we continue to build a more resilient, sustainable and collaborative farming future for the Island.