A SCHEME was launched this week to assist young farming entrepreneurs in the Yorkshire Dales to test new approaches to agriculture or develop new agriculture products and activities.

Called Cornerstone, the project, which is supported by Yorkshire Forward Development Fund, offers people up to age 35, who live in the Dales, mentoring, practical business skills development, funding and support.

Over the five-year life of the project, the aim is to set up 100 agriculture-related businesses. It is hoped it will provide a model for other remote rural areas in the UK where agriculture is facing challenges and change.