Federation of Cumbria Commoners
Raising the voice of commoners in the far north of England.
What we do
We are a group of hill farmers from Cumbria and Northumberland who want to let people know that hill farming and commoning matters in so many ways. Our family farms produce food, wool, sheep and cattle. We care for nature and landscape and are the cornerstone of upland rural economies.
We lobby the Government and Agencies at all levels. We work hard to represent the views and concerns of hill farmers and safeguard their interests wherever we can.
Advocate
Agricultural policy is changing. We lobby and influence the Government, its Agencies and NGOs at all levels. We want to see fairer farm funding that supports high nature and climate-friendly farming systems like commoning.
Explain
Few people know about our rich farming culture of collaborative land management, native sheep breeds, traditional shows and sports, shepherds meets and local dialects. We want to show how we farm and manage the mountains and moorlands.
Inform
We constantly monitor the latest national policy developments, local strategies and partnerships around hill farming and commoning. We provide information and support to our membes on issues that affect them.
Rooted in Cumbria and the North of England
The Federation of Cumbria Commoners is a hill farmer owned organisation. We represent hill farmers who have legal rights to graze sheep, cattle and ponies on moorland commons – they are known as “commoners”. We are dedicated to safeguarding the rights, livelihoods and future of commoners.
By actively engaging with agencies and government at local, national and international levels, we influence policy on rural, agricultural, social, environmental issues.
Open to All
Commoners and their livestock have shaped many of our most spectacular mountain landscapes in Cumbria and northern England.
Common land is open for all to enjoy, but please remember it is a farmed landscape. The Countryside Code sets out some simple guidance so the public can visit some of the most beautiful and fragile parts of the uplands, while being safe and respectful of others.
What is Commoning?
Commoning is a farming system developed by farmers many centuries ago to share the grazing on mountains, moorlands, heaths and marshes. This special way of managing land is based on fairness and interdependence between a close community of farmers who have passed on from generation to generation a deep knowledge of the land
Commoning is steeped in farming traditions from breeding hardy livestock and working sheep dogs to fiercely competitive agricultural shows where you can hear local dialects. These shared values and traditions contribute to the World Heritage Status of the Lake District.
Commoning has endured and adapted to meet the challenges of the day. Today it is as relevant as ever. Commoners are blending new and traditional farming practices to tackle 21st Century challenges of nature recovery and the climate emergency. Done well commoning produces natural reared meat and helps nature recover; increases carbon in the soil; reduces flooding; and provides clean water and air.
This 2 minute video was made by one of our younger members.
It conveys a year in the life of a commoner and his sheep and his pride in a job well done.
Current News & Issues
By Commoners For Commoners.
Federation AGM 7th March – Grazing for Good
On March 7th at The Gavel, Penrith Auction Mart, the Federation of Cumbria Commoners will be examing stocking rates on commons and what works for fell farming and nature recovery. Come and hear what a well known academic and plant ecologist thinks of Natural England's...
Updating the Shepherds’ Guide
The Book Thanks for your support, we are now very close to completing the valley collection phase. We’re awaiting the return of information from only one remaining valley, which we expect shortly. This phase has taken a bit longer than anticipated due to several...
Winter newsletter now out
We are pleased to be circulating our winter newsletter. Inside this issue: Details of our AGM - 7th March 2025: Grazing for Good From the Chairman A summary of Professor Robin Pakeman's "Initial Review of Grazing Regimes for Nature Recovery" and recommendations for...
“Unbounded freedom ruled the wandering scene
Nor fence of ownership crept in between
To hide the prospect of the following eye
Its only bondage was the circling sky”.
John Clare,
Herd Boy & Farmer (1792-1864)