FRESH START PROGRAMME 2011 - 2012
Staffordshire Rural Hub Fresh Start Academy Programme is launched on April 6 with a series of monthly events through to March 2012, supported by Lantra Landskills. The programme has been designed to help forward thinking farmers consider how they can develop their business in the future; also to assist new entrants into farming, including those involved in family succession. Farmers and Landowners must find ways to adapt their business in order to maximise profits and reduce overheads. Farmers in the county looking to retire or step back, who can offer a business opportunity to entrants, form a part of the Fresh Start initiative.
Fresh Start is an industry initiative to secure a sustainable future for farming. It aims to do this nationally by:
• promoting an entrepreneurial culture amongst the next generation of farm business owners
• promoting the use of generic business planning & management techniques
• promoting farming (and all its associated activities) as an attractive career option for new entrants
• developing a "matching service" that will link potential new entrants to those wishing to reduce their direct involvement or retire.
• developing a national mentoring capability for all new / growing farm enterprises
• practical support for a continual professional development culture to be adopted by everybody working in this industry
The programme will benefit from the strong support of a wide range of professionals giving helpful advice, support and mentoring to participants throughout the programme. It will incorporate a series of stand alone but interrelated field days, tours, courses and evening meetings. Later topics will doubtless be identified by participants but will include (not in order):
‘Don’t Get Left Behind’. An introductory evening Wednesday April 6th
Are you the best farmer in the county? Where are you going to be in five years time? Are you de-risking your business? This evening is an introduction to the series. Open to farmers and professionals in the industry.
Land holding arrangements
Will cover types of tenancies; share farming; flying herds; equity share; machinery rings; family partnerships, contracting.
Identifying and Managing Farm Risks
Practical measures – The full range eg Biosecurity; HSE; Computers; Financial; Accidents. Reduce your insurance bills.
Business management and planning
Accessing capital; project appraisal for diversification; value of cash flow; fixed and variable costs; benchmarking.
Managing labour
Gang masters; motivating the work force – sending good signals; new entrant schemes
Relationship management – Getting the Best from your: -
auctioneer; accountant; grain trader; agronomist; bank manager.
Sources of finance – pros and cons
Efficiencies in agriculture
Rainwater harvesting; tractor efficiency; muck management
CAP – future proofing your farm - Reading the Runes?
