Farming & Forestry Connect launch new Management Exchange programme

Farming & Forestry Connect has begun its search for focused and ambitious farmers or foresters keen to enhance their business competitiveness and viability through participation in its new Management Exchange programme.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn new or improved ways of working in the farm or forestry sectors in Europe, to find out about different approaches to business management and to broaden your knowledge, technical ability and management expertise.

Farming & Forestry Connect wants to hear from eligible individuals, who must be registered with Farming Connect, who feel they would benefit from a visit to a farm or forestry business within the EU, and/or who would be interested in hosting a suitably trained and experienced farm or forest manager currently working in the EU at their holding.

The aims of the programme are to enable both parties to identify developmental opportunities both at a personal and business level, and to facilitate the transfer and application of knowledge into innovative or advanced best practice which they can implement at home and share with the wider industry in Wales.

Successful participants will be expected to disseminate findings from their learning experience through Farming Connect’s usual communications channels and events programme.

An independent judging panel will be responsible for the competitive selection process.  All applicants will need to be available for interview on 7 or 8 July in Aberystwyth.  Successful applicants will also be invited to attend an official reception at the Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd on Monday 18 July. Successful applicants will then either undertake or host a visit for a period of up to approximately six weeks. Two-way exchange visits will be encouraged but are not essential. 

The window for applications is open from 1 June to 1 July 2016.

The funding rate for the programme is 100%, up to a maximum of £4,000 with costs reclaimed during the visit or hosting period.  

More details at https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/management-exchange