Farming Connect will be promoting the benefits of personal and strategic business development and showcasing many new ideas and initiatives which are already making a substantial contribution to improving efficiency and profitability for farmers and foresters across Wales at this year’s Royal Welsh Show (July 18 – 21).
Support for woodland owners…
In addition to their usual presence in the Lantra building (Avenue K), Farming Connect will promote services to forestry businesses, including business and technical advice available through the Advisory Service.
Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Menter a Busnes, which delivers Farming Connect on behalf of the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, explained that Farming Connect would also share a stand with Coed Cymru, Confor and Natural Resources Wales offering drop in sessions between 10 am – 12pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with a final session at the same time in the Lantra building on Thursday.
“Farming Connect’s technical woodland officer, Geraint Jones will be on hand throughout the show, attending the forestry day on the Confor stand on Tuesday, July 19 where he will also take part in an open panel discussion between 12 and 2pm.
…and horticulturalists
There will also be information on the range of Farming Connect services available for horticulturists at the Flower Show (Avenue A).
Farming Connect Discussion Groups
Farming Connect are keen to recruit new Discussion Group members, who will be supported by local development officers to collect and record physical and financial data on their businesses with the aim benchmarking their performance to drive forward business efficiencies. Find out more by calling into the Lantra Building during the show.
Agrisgôp success stories – new opportunities at the Royal Welsh Show
This year’s Royal Welsh Show will provide a fantastic promotional opportunity for two flourishing Agrisgôp groups. Thanks to support from Agrisgôp, Farming Connect’s management development programme which brings together and supports groups of like-minded individuals, a group of Welsh Lamb producers from North Wales are developing a selection of new PGI Welsh Lamb products. They are bringing the produce to the show on Tuesday and Wednesday to collect market research so be sure to call in for a taste on Stand Number 66 and 67 in the Food Hall.
And an all-Wales Agrisgôp group of Welsh dairy farmers who received independent sponsorship, recently commissioned a report on the feasibility and viability of Dairy Producer Organisation structures in Wales as a means to strengthen and improve the ‘farm to shop’ supply chain. They have published their recommendations in a new factsheet which you can collect from Farming Connect in the Lantra Building.
Agri Lab forum – leading the way for innovation and technology
You will also find an additional Farming Connect presence at a location on the balcony above sheep ring – the Agri Lab exhibition. This new initiative, launched last spring, replaces the former Tomorrow Today exhibition, bringing together a range of companies which are leading the way in terms of innovation and technology within the industry. Projects included this year will range from robotic milking systems, milk tank guardians and dairy technology to genetics, genomics, heat sense technology and other products or services designed to improve on-farm efficiency.
‘Meet a mentor’ – up to 22.5 hours of fully funded support and guidance
Eirwen Williams emphasised the benefits of calling in to speak not only to staff who can explain what the enhanced programme offers but also to meet some of the approved ‘mentors’ who are part of Farming Connect’s fully funded mentoring programme. Located throughout Wales, these knowledgeable and experienced individuals will be promoting the benefits of this ‘one to one’ support initiative between 3pm and 4pm in the Lantra building throughout the week.
New eligibility criteria
“Farming Connect provides guidance, training and advice – a range of services and events all geared towards supporting sustainable business development and improving economic and environmental performance. Many services are fully funded, while others, including the Advisory Service, are subsidised by up to 80% for eligible businesses or fully funded for group applications.
“Farming Connect has changed, and with eligibility widened, even more people can benefit. Our staff will be available throughout the show and will be happy to signpost you to the combination of services, training and e.learning opportunities and knowledge transfer activities which could help you find more efficient ways of working, find solutions to problems and identify any areas for improvement.
“We will also be reminding visitors that although they may have registered for the previous programme, if they haven’t registered since October 2015, they could be missing out on some of the wide-ranging support services which could really make a difference to both their personal and business development, in what remains for many a very challenging economic period.
“We want to reach out to any businesses that may not realise how much support is now available, and this includes new and potential entrants, businesses considering a change in direction or a diversification enterprise, adding value or expansion as well individuals looking to exit the industry or scale back,” said Mrs Williams.
New publications
Farming Connect has produced a number of new publications including a generic information leaflet and one on the Advisory Service. These will be available at the Royal Welsh Show or download them from our publications page.