17 July 2019
On the 26thof September, a brand-new exciting event will come to Wales offering support and advice for farmers, landowners and foresters in relation to the latest in innovation and diversification opportunities and ideas. Organised by Farming Connect, the very first Innovation and Diversification Wales event will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells.
With potentially challenging times ahead in the industry, the event aims to support businesses to prepare for the future and identify opportunities to become more profitable. Attendees will be able to gather information and new ideas from various companies, manufacturers and distributors at the forefront of agricultural innovation, as well as learn how today’s most successful diversification enterprises prosper in a competitive market.
Keeping up with technology advances can be a challenge for any industry, and Innovation and Diversification Wales will encourage and support effective learning amongst farmers and foresters to adopt new technology to improve business profitability and increase standard of living by creating a sustainable business.
On offer at the event will be a range of trade stands, seminar areas, and opportunities to transform your ideas into reality by tapping into Farming Connect guidance, support, training and mentoring.
Key note speaker at the event will be Wilfred Emmanual-Jones. The winner of two annual Entrepreneur Awards, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is a classic entrepreneur with the "anything is possible" attitude to everything he approaches. Credited with bringing many of the top celebrity chefs to the small screen including Gordon Ramsay, Antony Worrall-Thompson, Brian Turner and James Martin, before founding a food and drink marketing company in London.
Wilfred subsequently fulfilled a lifelong ambition in purchasing a small farm in Devon, and has been responsible for one of the most successful food launches of recent times in the UK with his own range of meat products under The Black Farmer label. Talking about his background, his story and entrepreneurship, Wilfred will be on hand to inspire others to find opportunities within their existing businesses.
Companies from across the UK and across various industries are signed up to attend, showcasing the breadth of products and ideas on offer. Products showcased will include:
- A range of companies supporting tourism, hospitality and food industry including The Rural Business Awards, Tyfu Cymru, RSS Hereford and Modulog
- Innovative ideas across farming sectors including PRECISEAG IBERS, Water Powered Technologies, Moocall sensors
- Business support and advice from the banking industry, government support and advice including presence from HSBC, Lloyds Bank and Barclays
- Renewable energy solutions including NFU Energy and Dragon Drilling
Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Menter a Busnes, said: “With a time of change and uncertainty ahead, we felt it important to create the very first dedicated Innovation and Diversification event for the agricultural sector in Wales. The event has received fantastic interest to date from companies across the UK. Our aim and ambition for this event, which is free for attendees, is to inspire and give people confidence to develop new, innovative and profitable business ideas.”
For any companies looking to exhibit at the event, please click here for more information or contact fcevents@menterabusnes.co.uk
Innovation and Diversification Wales is run by Farming Connect which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra, and funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Welsh Government.