Farm Business Innovation Show 2017
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The Farm Business Innovation Show is the event for farmers , landowners , rural businesses , entrepreneurs , estate , and country house owners to find new ways to diversify and increase their income . The event is returning to the NEC in Birmingham on November 8th and 9th and tickets are still free .
D iversification in the rural sector is a vital way to keep traditional methods of income viable in an unstable economic climate . By turning a portion of land towards an alternative stream of income , the traditional business is able to continue running with the support of additional income . This can be anything from turning one field towards renewable energy , to letting out buildings as offices or accommodation to opening a glamping or camping site .
The aim of the Farm Business Innovation Show is to offer every step of the diversification process , all under one roof . This means everything from the first initial spark of an idea , to the supplies and logistics required to build it into a full fledged success . Inspiration can be found around every corner of the venue , delivered through case studies from industry experts who have gone before , or discovered by wandering through the aisles and seeing the amazing new technologies and products that are changing the landscape of rural business .
Inspiration for an idea is of course only the first step towards branching into a new revenue stream . This is why the Farm Innovation Show also provides answers and solutions to the more logistical steps . Rural businesses will be able to take their pick from over 500 handpicked suppliers who have everything you need to build your perfect diversification project . On top of this , experts are on hand for everything from planning permission and tax advice to marketing and PR , the Farm Business Innovation Show has every rural businesses covered every step of the way .
The seminar line up for the 2017 event is second to none with the Keynote stage hosting the likes of Michael Eavis of Glastonbury Festival and Worthy Farm , Geoff Sansome the Head of Agriculture for Natural England , and Doug Gurr the UK Head of Amazon , among many others . Seminar topics covered at the event range from how to host a festival on your land , and the benefits of adding falconry as an attraction and pest control , to advice on opening a glamping site and unlocking the digital potential of rural UK !
Along with the seminars , the event will put on a host of live panel discussion by top industry experts on hot topics such as Glamping , Weddings , Planning Permission , Succession Planning , Social Media , Marketing , and Equestrian Business . There is also a live demo area where some of the latest gadgets will be tested and showcased along with a speed yurt building competition .
The Farm Business Innovation Show is excited to announce that this year ’ s event will feature the Amazon Academy . This is a series of seminars and workshops designed to help rural businesses and entrepreneurs to get inspired to unlock their digital potential and increase their global reach .
Your free ticket to the Farm Business Innovation Show will also gain you access to sister shows , Country House Business Innovation , Holiday Park & Resort Innovation , and The Family Attraction Expo . Make sure you don ’ t miss this incredible event and register for your free ticket via www . farmbusinessshow . co . uk
Jersey chooses LEAF Marque to deliver more sustainable farming
Jersey ’ s dairy and arable farmers are being asked to become LEAF Marque certified as part of the Island ’ s new rural support scheme , which requires them to follow internationally recognised sustainable farming practices . Under the Rural Economy Strategy 2017 - 2021 , which aims to grow Jersey ’ s rural economy while safeguarding its countryside and environment , farmers must be LEAF Marque certified by 2019 .
T he LEAF Marque is an environmental assurance system recognising more sustainably farmed products and is underpinned by the sustainable farming principles of Integrated Farm Management ( IFM ). A number of LEAF ’ s technical team recently visited Jersey to meet with farmers to discuss LEAF Marque requirements and offer training in topics such as soil management and fertility , pollution control , animal husbandry , energy efficiency and nature conservation . The training , funded by Jersey ’ s Department of the Environment , was well received by farmers .
More than half ( approx . 6,000 hectares ) of land on Jersey is used for agriculture , including land farmed by potato growers the Jersey Royal Company who are already a LEAF Marque certified member . Jersey ’ s Director of Rural Economy and Head of Plant Health , Scott Meadows , said : “ The industry has responded very positively to the LEAF scheme and there was a really good turnout for the training . Farmers are already up to speed with many of the requirements as they had to comply with them under a previous rural support scheme , but LEAF covers subjects in more depth and has a broader set of requirements . It gets farmers thinking about how they can farm to the best possible standards , with biodiversity , public goods , and sustainability being held in equal regard to profit . Our aim during the five year span of the scheme is to move to a model where government is directly purchasing public goods from land managers in exchange for financial and innovation support . The public goods highest up the agenda are improved water quality , biodiversity and sustainability .”
Caroline Drummond , Chief Executive of LEAF said : “ We ’ re delighted that the LEAF Marque assurance system has been chosen by the government of Jersey to help drive forward its vision of a sustainable , diverse and innovative agricultural industry . We know from independent research * that LEAF Marque certification delivers a range of economic , environmental and social benefits . It empowers and enables farmers to make positive changes to more sustainable farming and allows them to celebrate and demonstrate their achievements in the marketplace . We are greatly looking forward to working together with the government of Jersey and the Island ’ s farmers to support the wider strategic needs of Jersey , with regards to sustainable food production ,
water security and the quality of the environment .”
Jersey ’ s Minister for Economic Development , Tourism , Sport and Culture , Senator Lyndon Farnham added : “ I ’ m pleased to see the new scheme beginning to deliver what it set out to do - to grow the rural economy while safeguarding Jersey ’ s countryside and environment . To do this , we ’ ve had to rewrite the contract government has with farmers , and I think that it will produce a more sustainable future for the agricultural sector .”
In addition to the new rural scheme in Jersey , LEAF ’ s farming methods are also being recognised by other organisations including retailers and levy boards . Waitrose , which requires all fresh produce suppliers to be LEAF Marque certified , has put LEAF Marque at the centre of their consumer marketing activity . Meanwhile , the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board ( AHDB ) will be using the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review on-line management tool as part of its efforts to measure its Strategic Farm ’ s economic , environmental and social performance .
For more information on the LEAF Marque visit : https :// leafuk . org / farming / leaf-marque www . farmingmonthly . co . uk November 2017 | Farming Monthly | 09