'Innovative approaches to the management of change in

the agricultural and agri.-food sectors'.

The partnership is based in Ireland, Wales and Sweden, with a broad partnership group in each area, responsible for local implementation.  The project aims to develop a model for utilising rural, human, social, infrastructural and natural capital to meet the challenges of change.  It will utilise community led, social partnership approaches to test new initiatives to support local communities deal with restructuring in rural areas.

The focus of the programme is to provide training and mentoring support for entrepreneurs, farming families and rural communities.  Through our innovative programmes outlined below, training and mentoring will support rural communities, establish sustainable and diverse economic opportunities on or off the farm:

The programme will provide the following:

Outside the Farm Gate; providing training programmes focusing on sustainability and diversification opportunities:

Inside the Farm Gate; focusing on maximising the potential of the farm and support for farm viability;

Custodianship of the Land; encouraging farming practices that protect and enhance bio diversity and cultural diversity;

Establishing Sustainable Agriculture Networks identify Agricultural Sustainability potential. 

OTHER KEY PRORGAMME ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• Conducting a feasibility study on Skills Rings of skilled people to benefit local rural communities;
• Conducting an Audit of Skills Needs of employers to promote employment opportunities;
• Conducting a Natural Capital Audit of available resources to identify economic opportunities
• Improving Social Capital through better social cohesion, rural capacity building and establishing how local communities can influence policy:
• Conducting a Natural Capital Audit of available resources to identify economic opportunities.

If you are interested in the training initiatives being organised under this innovative new programme, or would like to receive more information please

contact either
Steven Bradley at PLANED on 01834 862116 stevenb@planed.org.uk or Nick James at PLANED on 01834 862116 nickj@planed.org.uk

Pembrokeshire Sustainable Agriculture Network

An agriculture network has been set up in Pembrokeshire working with farmers and key agencies to examine new opportunities in the county for sustainable agriculture.

An initial meeting in February between PLANED, Countryside Council for Wales, NFU, FUW and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has led to the launch of Pembrokeshire Sustainable Agriculture Network by Tamsin Dunwoody, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Deputy Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside as a result of an initiative by PLANED's Enterprise and Development.

Dr Alan Netherwood (EAW) gave a presentation on how climate change would affect agriculture in Wales presenting some of the threats and opportunities to farmers alike.

Steven Bradley, PLANED’s Agriculture Manager, said that Pembrokeshire had always demonstrated innovation and enterprise in the agricultural industry.
The new network of farmers and farming/environmental organisations would be a forum and springboard for action for discussing ideas and creating opportunities for the development of sustainable agriculture in Pembrokeshire.
“It will, for example, look at renewable energy – biomass, biogas, biodiesel and timber – as well as recycling, novel crops and biodiversity.”
PLANED hope that the network would link into the 2020 Task and Finish Group, which has been set up to advise the Welsh Assembly Government on long term options for supporting the sustainability of farming and the countryside.

For more information or to join the Network contact:
Steven Bradley at PLANED on 01834 862116