Julian Smith MP visited Humberstone Bank Farm, which is owned by Yorkshire Water and managed by a local 28 year-old sheep farmer from Nidderdale, Jonathan Grayson. Mr Grayson faced off competition from other applicants for the position and was chosen by Yorkshire Water to take over the farm and to manage it in accordance with their ‘Beyond Nature’ vision, which aims to make Humberstone a leading farm for the future.
Julian Smith met Jonathan and representatives from Yorkshire Water, who spoke to him about the company’s vision for the farm and the work being carried out by Mr Grayson to protect wildlife biodiversity, water quality, carbon storage and grouse shooting on the 900 hectare farm.
Julian Smith MP said: ‘I was very interested to see how this partnership between Jonathan and Yorkshire Water has the potential to combine traditional livestock farming practices with an increased focus on protecting our beautiful environment here in North Yorkshire.
‘This is a very important time for the agricultural sector, as it looks to the future and the ways it can become more sustainable and so I welcome the work being undertaken here by Jonathan and Yorkshire Water. It is also great for our rural community to see a young person being given the chance to run their own farm.’
