Independent think tank · Founded 2019

Independent research and ideas for the rural economy

The Future Economic Rural Network is an independent think tank. We research what works for rural communities in the UK, Ireland and beyond, advise policymakers and back the projects that put it into practice.

Latest research Listen to FERNCast

Ministry of Planning and Budget sign at a South Korean government building

International,Research & Policy

South Korea’s Rural Population Decline Mitigation Programme: Policy Analysis and UK Implications

26/01/2026

Latest research and analysis

England’s cattle and sheep herds shrink again as breeding numbers fall

07/09/2026

Rural Community,International

Finland charts rural revival to 2040 in third policy report since 1993

25/08/2026

Environment,Agritech

UK offers £20mn to develop crop-planting and harvesting farm robots

04/08/2026

The FERN podcast

FERNCast

Ministers, farmers, founders and researchers on the decisions shaping the countryside. Hosted by Daniel Rad.

All episodes Follow on Spotify

Projects and partners

About our projects

Emerging TravelB2B travel trade publication covering emerging and underreported markets, including agritourism.English AgritourismA national body for agritourism in England, modelled on Scottish Agritourism.Inaka LabsA joint FERN project in Japan.CRDFPartner: the Canadian Rural Development Foundation. Joint researcher directory and State of Rural Canada survey.

Partners and funders

Defra
Keele University
BlueSphere Carbon
Global Bay
Lune Valley Community Land Trust
Maximum Exposure
VisitMalta

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