A packed hall was the scene for Dorset NFU’s County Annual Open Meeting at the end of November. County chair Tim Gelfs wanted to put a different angle on the meeting this year. Conscious that farming has just been through a difficult 12 months – both politically and with a long summer drought – he was keen to bring members together. With the help of county advisor Dirk Russell, and Dorset’s six group secretaries, it was decided to mix business with pleasure while celebrating Dorset’s fantastic produce.
Dorset Museum in Dorchester hosted the evening, with members and guests enjoying a look round the exhibits – from the Jurassic period and the Iron Age through to Thomas Hardy. Everyone then found their seats for a three-course meal using Dorset ingredients. Beef, cheese, locally-grown veg … even the watercress for the soup starter came from just outside Dorchester. All served alongside beer, wine and cider, again generously donated by county producers.
In the room
The county chair and advisor reported on the management team’s work through the year. Tim talked of the importance of keeping MPs and councillors informed of our challenges and views. Of having meaningful conversations, but also of holding them to account when needed.
Improved member engagement was discussed, with new digital tools enabling members to tailor the information they receive. Tim’s vision is to broaden engagement with Poole, Bournemouth and Weymouth: urban councillors still get to vote on rural issues, and they must be well informed when they do so.
Informing consumers – every farmer’s customer – is a duty for all, Tim says, and the NFU must create local opportunities for that to happen. Tim closed by thanking the team for their support, and called for members to step forward and jin them in helping shape Dorset NFU’s work.
Regional director Tom Rabbetts followed with a report on the NFU’s recent work. With government, IHT and SFI were the main topics, alongside TB and lobbying of major stakeholders. Tom acknowledged that it has been frustrating at times, not getting the outcomes they have lobbied hard to achieve. But he also pointed out that they have had some good wins, such as the extension to stewardship agreements that are coming to an end. Relationships with DEFRA remain strong, and the NFU is very much ‘in the room’.
Time to listen
After the meeting and meal, there was an open session, and members where invited to ask questions or voice their concerns. There were more strong views than questions around SFI, TB and local engagement, and our Dorset members felt more emphasis should be made on all these three points. They were assured that the NFU are engaging fully, in particular to SFI concerns. Dorset has its own TB team to help drive policy, made up mainly of farmers and facilitated by NFU.
Tim acknowledged all views and will take them forward to the Regional Board and Council.
‘All in all it was a successful night,’ he says. ‘It did exactly what we set out to do: get our members engaged and talking to us, with a decent celebration of Dorset’s produce on the side. It was definitely something to build on, and there was lots to take forward into 2026!’
