The Marches Forward Partnership’s (MFP) Partnership Board has supported a bid by the Marches Forward Partnership to sponsor the Marches Real Food and Farming Convergence 2025.
The event to be held at Square Farm, Monmouthshire, on October 3 and 4, will bring together farmers, food producers, policymakers, and communities from across the Marches region and is a key initiative for the Marches Good Food Movement, one of the MFP’s priority programmes.
The £6,000 sponsorship agreement recognises that the Convergence promotes the region as an important food production area for the UK and reflects the MFP’s ambition for the region to become a national leader in green growth, sustainable rural development and a model for healthy, connected rural communities.
The event will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and celebration, reinforcing the MFP’s commitment to unlocking investment and driving economic and environmental resilience.
Heather Kidd, Leader of Shropshire Council and chair of the Partnership Board’s inaugural meeting, said:-
“Food resilience is at the heart of our region’s future. By supporting the Real Food and Farming Convergence, we are investing in the people, practices, and partnerships that will ensure our communities can thrive in the face of climate, economic, and social challenges.
“This is about building a food system that works for everyone—rooted in our land, our values, and our shared vision for the Marches.”
Monmouthshire County Council’s Leader, Mary Ann Brocklesby, said:-
“We’re looking forward to hosting this year’s Marches Real Food and Farming Convergence at Square Farm, and I would like to thank the Marches Forward Partnership’s Board for agreeing to the sponsorship.”
“The event will showcase how we all can play a part in creating a sustainable food chain throughout the Marches.”
About the MFP: The Marches Forward Partnership unites Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council to work closely together with both UK and Welsh governments.
This will include working jointly to secure funding support from both governments as well as with a wide range of other partners to unlock more investment and explore new approaches to enable major projects that benefit the Marches region.
Transport, skills and housing, alongside energy, climate change, tourism and digital connectivity are high on the agenda, all common issues for the area’s population of almost 750,000. By working together the four local authorities hope to deliver cross border successes and unlock millions of pounds for identified initiatives that support the Marches rural economy and green growth.
