FRESH START FOR RURAL BUSINESS

Well what a busy couple of months we have had. There is so much going on in the rural economy at the moment, particularly funding for training and rural business development.

But first the Fresh Start academy launch which took place on 16th October. What a great night it was, and I was very proud to be amongst so many people with a passion for agriculture. We were very privileged that the event was attended by Johnathan Shaw MP, Minister for Marine, Landscape & Rural Affairs and Minister for the South East. In his address to the 50+ guests , of which 18 were candidates, Mr Shaw said “Farming was, is, and always will be one of our country’s biggest assets. But, most importantly, farming has a future. And that is what we are here to emphasise today. It’s a future we’re responsible for. One that has to be a real priority for all of us – as farmers, politicians, consumers, and citizens. In 2006, UK farming contributed £5.6 billion to our economy and employed over half a million people. The industry has long been involved in shaping and maintaining our most precious landscapes – providing the gateway to some of our most beautiful scenery. I am very proud of the way ‘Fresh Start’, and the Academies in particular, have developed. The way it is being driven forward from within the industry itself. And I am proud that DEFRA is supporting it.”

I recently attended a meeting in London with other fresh start coordinators from around the country, it was good to exchange ideas and contacts, as well as get to know each other better. We also met with Sir Don Curry, and other influential people, to discuss the issues facing both new entrants to farming and those looking to exit the industry. There are major issues relating to the latter, and a lot of work will need to be undertaken, to allow for changes in attitude to retirement and succession with in land based industries.

So what else has happened since our last blog. Well there is lots going on the funding front. The new Rural Development Plan for England is now being worked out, and there will be substantial amounts of funds available to rural businesses in the South East through various projects. These will be administered through the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), who also support fresh start. The funds will be available for training, capital expenditure, community projects as well as many other things. The new LEADA initiatives will also allow greater access to RDPE money for community activities that have an environmental and agricultural slant. It is important that you contact local LEADA Action Groups (LAG) with ideas of what you need in your area. Watch this space for more information and details, over the next few weeks.

By the way please leave us comments by clicking below. We relay need your feed back

Kate Mason

Back With A Bang

August is now over and time to get back to the grind stone. The Bucks Show, has been and gone, and now time to get the new training programme out to our clients. We hope to do that later this week.

The Show was a great success for us this year having changed the position of our site. We seemed to very busy all day, and it was good to see so many familiar faces, as well as lots of new ones. Despite the lack of livestock on display, we seemed to spend most of the day talk through the procedure for those needing certificates of competence in the transportation of livestock.

The new regulations come in to force on 5th January 2008. Many courses are now on offer to deal with this. The Regulation applies to all those involved with the transport of live vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity. For example: livestock and equine hauliers; farmers and commercial pet breeders. By 5th January, 2008 drivers and attendants transporting farmed animals, horses and poultry on journeys over 8 hours or 65km (approximately 40 miles) will be required to hold a Certificate of Competence. This will only be issued to an individual if they have received training and undergone an independent assessment by an accredited body. You will need to look at what is available in your area and decide what best suits you. A formal course may not alwys be requred, but the on line assessment will. So get booked in soon as time is running out, and we for see a rush just before Christmas.

On the farming front, the harvest is now over and all is safely gathered in. The yields were down, but prices up, so we should not complain to much. It was however a difficult year as the rain never seemed to be far away. Now we are busy preaping to plant for next year.

Do please contact us or leave feed back on the blogg. Its very easy.....

Kate

Academy Moves Forward

The Fresh start academy for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire moved a step forward this week, when a lunch date was set for 16th October 2007.

The academy will be based here at Marsh Hill Centre. The aim of Fresh Start is to help young people find openings within the agricultural sector. It will offer participants the opportunity to be involved in a comprehensive programme of training, designed to meet their needs. The training will take place over about 18 months and cover various aspects of business management, finance, and development. There will also be the opportunity to be matched with a business mentor or retiring farmer. At the end of the course participant will have the skills they need to run a successful farming business. The group is designed for those aged between 25 and 35, or though there is no upper or lower age limit. This academy will be part of a national network, so there will be varied opportunities. In the South East the project is being financially supported by SEEDA

The project is being steered by a group of motivated individuals who believe there is a future for British agriculture. This group is drawn from a variety of organisations. These include Representatives from the The Young Farmers Clubs, Land Agents, as well as our selves. For more information go to the DEFRA web site, where you will find fresh started listed under F.

This blog was posted by Kate Mason on July 12th 2207.

Well here we are gain blog number two.

Flooding seems to have been the word of the week, and there was nothing different here at Marsh Hill Farm. We have spent the past few days dodging rain clouds and praying for better weather. We are desperate for the sun to shine as we need to get on with making hay, this is normally done about the 18th June, but as yet there seems to be no let up in the rain. Looking on the bright side, every thing is looking very green, as you will see from the picture taken from my office window this morning, and we have plenty of grass for the cattle and sheep to eat. Unlike last year, when every thing was brown and we had very little grass.

On the training side, we have been able to run all our courses, although the tree climbers did get very wet last Friday, but this didn't dampen their spirits as they all passed their NPTC climbing and areal rescue assessments. Well done all of you. We have also had tractor driving, sheep foot care and IT courses going on at the centre in the last week, as well as using a chainsaw from a rope and harness, and forklift training away from the centre.

We have also spent the last few weeks getting the programme of training ready for next year, and having meetings with SEEDA regarding future funding for the rural community. Watch this space. The programme will be available for the Bucks County show on August 30th. If you have any suggestions for a competition we could run there I would be very grateful, and we hope you will visit us, for a drink and a chat. Click this link for more information about the show. http://www.buckscountyshow.co.uk/

We plan to close in August this year, so that we can have a well earned rest. With so many changes having taken place in the last year, as well as running over 420 training days, with over 1000 trainees attending, we all feel the need for some R & R.

Posted by Kate Mason 26th June 2007

The First Rural Rambling.

This is our first blog posting and as such, will be a brief background in to Vale Training Services, who we are and what we stand for.

I have been running Vale Training Services and previously Group for 21 year. It has always been our remit to provide cost effective training to Raul Businesses, weather land based, or just located in the countryside. We pride our selves on our ethics, and always try to give the best service we can to our clients. Honesty is the watch word in our company, and we will endeavor to give true information, even if we made the mistake.

We are based on a farm in Buckinghamshire, and have a purpose built training centre with three training rooms. The centre was created from a redundant dairy unit, with the aid of a grant from the England Rural Development Fund, something for which I will always be grateful.

There are currently three members of staff, Myself Kate Mason, Melanie Whyte who works 3-4 days per week and Chris Jackman who does the accounts on a Friday. My husband Tim helps with instructing when he is not busy working on the farm.

The Farm is an important part of our business, allowing us the opportunity to deliver training to people in an environment they immediately feel settled in. We encourage our clients out of the class room, and into the farm yard, where they can relax and unwind.

In future blogs we will give you a broader picture of what we are doing both in the training room and out on the farm. We will also look forward to receiving your feed back.

Happy bloging

Kate Mason