Northern Real Farming Conference has a growing challenge

How can future flooding in parts of Lancashire be limited? How can we buy and grow more locally produced food?

These are just some of the questions being tackled at the inaugural Northern Real Farming Conference.

The event should have been being held at Lancaster Town Hall, with participants gathering to focus on the future of farming and food production in the north of England and Scotland.

Instead, due to the pandemic it has gone online, with events taking place until October 10.

Its underlying theme is that now, more than ever, it is time to rethink the nation's approaches to farming, fishing and food production.

Conference Coordinator Ellen Pearce said: "I think the challenge of climate change and the challenge with Brexit were already significant for British agriculture but with Covid-19 and lockdown people ... It's made people really think about farming and food and where their food comes from."

She noted it had made people aware of food shortages and their impact.

The conference will focus on the work of small scale producers, how to enhance biodiversity and repair soil health. She said: "It's a whole approach which works with and builds the health of the environment."