Farm Steps is ready for lift-off!

We all know the challenges that farming is facing — net zero targets, rising input costs, changing grant systems, and need to farm in a way that’s good for both the land and livestock. But for all the talk of sustainability, practical training that works for everyday farmers and farmworkers is still hard to come by. That’s why Farm Steps was created.

Farm Steps is a non-profit training provider dedicated to making high-quality, practical training available to everyone in the livestock sector. If you’re a stockperson, relief milker, shepherd, or new entrant, or want to get started in agriculture, our training is for you. Regardless of previous education, our training is for you. If you want to progress onto a different role in farming, you are just starting out, or love what you do now, our training is for you. Farm Steps is designed to support you with the knowledge and skills to farm sustainably—and to share that understanding with the wider industry and public.

The Sustainable Livestock Residential!

The Sustainable Livestock Residential is our inaugural training course. To try and make it as accessible to full time staff as possible we are running it as a weekend course. This gives attendees the added bonus of being able to meet like-minded individuals and train within a practical and informal setting. It is fully funded, hands-on, and will be held in the stunning Lake District for 2025. It’s specifically designed for farmworkers who rarely get the chance to attend formal training, offering practical and relevant learning in a relaxed setting. Both days will be spent on two farms nearby Kendal. The weekend will be split into practical exercises, and team challenges, with content made bespoke to the small group of attendees. We are limiting numbers to 12 to allow for open discussion and to challenge each other with the queries you have for your own workplace.

This immersive weekend covers:

• Sustainable Livestock Husbandry – Learning how to balance productivity with high-welfare, low-impact livestock management.

• Carbon Literacy – Understanding how farming fits into the bigger climate picture and what can be done on the ground to reduce emissions.

• Responsible Medicines & Antimicrobial Stewardship – Addressing responsible antibiotic use and how the livestock sector is leading the way in reducing reliance.

• Farm Business Benchmarking – Giving attendees the tools to assess the environmental and financial performance of their workplace and to make informed decisions for the future.

The weekend isn’t just about learning—it’s about supporting the community. Farming can be isolating, and Farm Steps is a space where like-minded people can connect, share experiences, and leave feeling positive and motivated about the future of livestock farming.

Sign Up opens very soon, keep your eyes peeled!

Trainees learn best when on-farm, working with cattle.