TARGET farms are to be set up across the North to demonstrate how different techniques and technology can help boost farm efficiency and incomes.

The first demonstration farm is due to open in Wensleydale in April next year and was chosen because it is typical of holdings in the Yorkshire dales.

The project has been put together by Cornerstone, which helps people, especially the young, to develop businesses in rural areas.

The idea is to provide people at all stages of the food chain, from farmer to shopper, with a better understanding of how the whole process operates and how each stage can help the others.

Farmers and producers can share information and experience as well as seeing ideas, techniques and machinery in action.

David Dinsdale, who has a dairy herd and sheep at Low Gill, Thornton Rust, between Leyburn and Hawes, agreed to open up his farm as the first in the scheme.

"We chose Low Gill because it is a typical dales farm and because we were keen to have a farm where there was a son who wanted to carry on farming and another who didn't want to farm but wanted to develop a rural-based business that wasn't farming," said Jim McRobert, a Cornerstone director.

The farm would be the venue for demonstrations, discussions, monthly seminars and presentations.

The scheme would be launched, subject to funding being in place, in April 2003, he added.

"Barclays Bank has already given us £38,000 and HSBC is supporting us, too," said Mr McRobert. "We are also looking for anyone else keen to support the project by sponsorship or by joining as an active partner."

An environmental audit would be carried out at each target farm in the scheme to ensure it was being managed environmentally and maximum use was being made of environmental grants available.

"We are trying to choose a network of farms typical of their area, which other farmers can relate to," said Mr McRobert. "We are not looking at the massive, award-winning farms, just something that farmers can recognise and identify with."

Each farm would be linked to a known market and an advisory panel would ensure that every stage, from farmer to retailer and beyond, was covered.

"People involved in food production and retail don't always understand the whole process," he said. "This will help develop such understanding and assist farmers and producers to supply exactly what the buyer wants."

Similar schemes in other parts of the country had dramatic results, with farm incomes boosted by as much as 30pc as a direct result.

The Target farm scheme has already won the backing of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which gave a formal vote of support at its meeting in West Burton, Coverdale, last week.

Members said involvement with the scheme further demonstrated the authority's commitment to the farming industry.

Steve Macare, authority chairman, said: ""Our support for sustainable farming in the Dales is as absolute today as it has ever been. The role played by sustainable farming in conserving the area's landscape and cultural heritage, while protecting the wellbeing of local communities, is vital if this area is to undergo a rural revival and match both local and visitor expectations.

"To this end, and alongside other initiatives, our farm conservation team makes hundreds of farm visits each year, helping farmers gain access to the £4.5m available to Dales farmers through the current agri-environment schemes."

* Details of the Target farms scheme is available from Mr McRobert, tel 07801 564020, or Mike Keeble, tel 01969 667671 or 01677 460306. Information on agricultural schemes run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority are available from the farm conservation team, tel 01756 752748