About the Canterbury Farmers Club

 The club in 2009

 The Club is currently led by Chairman Alastair Boyd

 The Senior Vice Chairman is Mark Izard

 The Junior Vice Chairman is David Solley

 The current Committee of the Club continues to represent a very wide range of
 farming interests. It recognises that farming in Kent in the 21st Century is a far
 cry from that experienced by their forefathers in the late 18th Century; indeed it
 is very different from that experienced in the latter half of the 20th century.

 This is a period of great change as the effect of the move from production led
 support to the current single farm payment system is fully absorbed by the cereal
 and livestock farmers.

 Kent is the Garden of England but the ever increasing dominance of the very large
 retailers and the global nature of their supply chain has changed for ever the fruit
 and vegetable sectors. Few have continued to grow Hops, once extensively grown
 in the County. However there is still an annual Hop Report presented to the Club
 by Tony Redell, a stalwart of hop production in Kent

 The farmers attending the Canterbury Farmers Club meetings are all keen to be
 in the forefront of the changes and hence the range of the discussion and the
 diversity of views is wide ranging and stimulating. Whilst the average age of the
 UK farmer may be late 50s the Club is actively working towards the average age
 of its membership below that.

 There may be less farmers in the 21st century but there is an ever increasing
 need for them to provide mutual support via organisations such as the Canterbury
 Farmers Club.

 The Club fulfils a unique role to the farming community around East Kent and
 beyond. The range of the interests of its membership; its ability to attract the
 best speakers; and its independence enable it to provide an ideal forum to meet
 discuss and learn!