Farming

There are two elements:

Agricultural Business Mentoring

Agricultural Business Mentoring is an opportunity for farm families to discuss their farm business needs and circumstances openly, and in confidence, with an experienced mentor who, through their skills and experience, is in a position to be of positive help.

Farm families can avail of up to three, free sessions with a mentor in their own home. The mentor will be able to discuss the aspects of the farm business that are of particular concern, and support the farm family in identifying options that meet the needs of the farm business and the family. Together a plan of action will be agreed to help the farm family move forward. This programme will encourage you to take a positive but realistic look at your options.

Discussions might include: Farm and off farm income; Farm systems/ practices and related investments; Succession/ retirement planning; Wills & inheritance issues; Improving skills levels; Off-farm employment or diversification. A key element of the programme is identification of key organisations and individuals who may be able to provide further support, advice or funding to the farm family.

Up to £250 per farm business is available towards the cost of professional legal and financial advice in relation to succession planning.

Skills Training

Financial Assistance of up to £1,000 per farm family member is available to support on-farm and off-farm work-related skills training.  An associated training allowance of up to £250 per farm member is also available.

Applications to Farm Family Options under Tranche 1 will be accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis up until 31 March 2010.

Both the Farm Family Options and the Skills Training Schemes are open to farmers and farm families who have a Category 1 Business Identification Number (Business ID).

Under the Farm Family Options Scheme financial assistance is available towards the cost of legal and financial advice, if required as part of the options appraisal process.

Through the Farm Family Options Mentoring Programme, up to £250 is available to each farm business for legal or financial advice in relation to succession planning on completion of mentoring.

The Skills Training element focuses on courses which could provide farm family members with the necessary training and support to develop work-related skills and generate additional income. Courses such as LGV driving, Health and Safety, forklift training, excavator training and computers may be considered. Equally, modules in childcare, eldercare and counselling would be considered, as would essential skills training. This may be the preferred route prior to progressing to more specific job training.

Hobby-type courses, e.g. art classes, flower arranging and digital photography, as well as courses at NVQ levels four and five will not be supported.

To apply to the Farm Family Options Mentoring Programme or for further information telephone 0845 026 7539, email: mentoring@countrysiderural.co.uk or visit www.countrysiderural.co.uk

Further information and application packs on Skills Training are available by contacting the Farm Family Options Team on 0845 026 7534 or by email at options@countrysiderural.co.uk, or available to download from the Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership website, www.countrysiderural.co.uk.