New support initiatives for land-based businesses...

Upcoming workshops

Following a series of highly successful workshops in partnership with the British Horse Society, Business Link in the West Midlands is teaming up with the British Florist Association to deliver a programme of workshops to Floristry businesses across the region. These will cover a wide range of vital issues including:

Merchandising and display
Customer service
Marketing
Databases and IT
Finance
Skills
We are also working with The Horticultural Association to provide workshops to Retail Horticulture, Landscape and Nursery Businesses. These will include valuable information and advice on:

Customer service
Marketing
Finance
Skills
Negotiating with large companies
Details of dates and venues will be announced soon. To find out more, email <address and link here>

New support for farming families

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is running an innovative project that aims to help working farming families take control of their financial future.

RABI’s Gateway Project will provide funding for qualifying families to secure the skills development and accreditation they need to maximise their commercial potential.

For further details, contact RABI on 01865 727888.

Rural Enterprise Grant

This grant is funded under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is available for farmers and specific rural micro-businesses in the West Midlands region. It aims to fund small-scale diversification and business development projects.

Funds are available for eligible activities in the areas of:

Environmental technologies
Food and drink
Tourism
Livestock related activities

The Rural Enterprise Grant is being administered by Herefordshire Council. For more information contact Dorothy Coleman on 01432 383616 or visit www.advantagewm.co.uk/working-with-us/rdpe/default.aspx

Green Futures 2009

Following the tremendous success of the Green Futures workshops over the last four years, it’s business as usual in 2009 for the partnership team who provide farming businesses with clear and concise interpretations of current rules and regulations.

Topics to be covered will include:

Changes with Cross Compliance rules for 2009
Update on environmental schemes
NVZ regulations – what you need to do now!
Hazardous waste
Herefordshire Sessions
Wednesday  28th January  - Luctonians RFC,
Thursday 5th February - Kilpeck Village Hall. 
Wednesday 11th February  - Bromyard RFC,
Start time at all sessions is 7pm

Bookings for Green Futures 2009 are being handled by Momenta. Please call 0845 345 1302 to book your place now.
All sessions NRoSO and Basis registered.

The Green Futures delivery team comprises of Momenta, working together with the CLA, NFU, Environment Agency, Natural England, West Midland Rural Hub Network and Business Link.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

The new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) action plan comes into force in January 2009. A series of workshops are planned to help the farming sector understand the requirements and what action they need to take. An Information and advice programme led by Defra, Environment Agency and Natural England will run through January, February and March across the West Midlands.

For more information, email dyturner@herefordshire.gov.uk

West Midlands Bioenergy Conference

‘Turning Opportunity into Commercial Reality’
16th December 2008 at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire

This is the second dedicated Biomass Conference for the West Midlands region, presenting the commercial opportunities available to the rural farming and landowning community in relation to bioenergy. The Conference will highlight specific regional projects that exist to help identify and capitalise on these opportunities.

The Conference will bring all elements of the bioenergy supply chain together to network and learn from the experiences and best practice of others. By attending the Conference, delegates will:

Gain insight into the UK bioenergy Sector
Learn about the Renewable Energy Obligation and Certificates
Hear about some of the social barriers to bioenergy projects
Find out about local funding opportunities for bioenergy projects
See a biomass burner in action with a tour of the Harper Adams Biomass Burner
Speak directly to a range of suppliers in the exhibition hall
The Conference will cost £30.00 per delegate and includes refreshments and lunch.

For further information, please email Sonia Large on slarge@harper-adams.ac.uk or telephone 01952 815 019. You can also check the Events page at www.bioenergywm.co.uk