The hunt is on for two “forward-thinking” farmers who will be capable of demonstrating sustainable farming techniques after a three-year programme of training, technical support and mentoring.
The opportunity is being offered by sustainable farming organisation Leaf – Linking Environment And Farming – and crop protection and seed company Corteva Agriscience, which say they want the farming industry to get “on the front foot” so it can stay competitive and able to maximise opportunities at a time of huge change.
Leaf demonstration and innovation manager, Alice Midmer, described the “Resilient and Ready” training programme as an opportunity for two farmers to build the resilience of their own businesses and make a sustained contribution to the agricultural industry.
“We want to hear from entrepreneurial farmers who are in the mindset for change,” she said.
“They will already be thinking about the role of UK farmers in responding to the big global challenges around climate change, biodiversity, soil fertility, water scarcity and health and wellbeing.
“They will have the vision, commitment and determination to learn new skills, to embrace the very latest thinking and to make change happen.”
The two farmers will undertake a three-year training programme which will see cutting-edge sustainable farming techniques introduced to their own businesses. They will also be offered access to sustainability experts and given communications training to provide them with the tools to become industry leaders.
Interested producers can learn more about the project at an event at Bowhill near Selkirk on October 25, where they can meet existing Leaf demonstration farmers and see sustainable practices in action.
More information is available on the Leaf website.