Representatives from RDS North East will be at this year's Tynedale Enterprise Festival to help farmers and others who live in the countryside, create a sustainable and profitable future.
Tyneside Enterprise Festival, which runs from November 14 - 20, offers businesses and budding entrepreneurs a series of events, workshops and road-show exhibitions.
Now in its second year, the festival helps people in Tynedale wanting to start their own business and looking for new inspiration. Rural Enterprise Tynedale, part of Tynedale Council, runs the Festival.
Representatives from RDS North East will be on hand at the festival's roadshows to promote and inspire new farm diversification. Farmers and others will be able to book one-to-one appointments with an adviser to discuss their ideas and find out about the help and support on offer. There will also be an opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs, including those who have already successfully diversified to launch new rural businesses.
Funding to help farmers diversify is available on a selective basis under the Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES), part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) delivered by the RDS.
Since its launch in October 2000, more than £150 million worth of RES grants have been awarded to assist farm diversification projects. Hundreds of farmers in the North East have already diversified into non-food businesses from equestrian and farm shops to tourism and beauty therapy.
Adrian Vass, an adviser at the Rural Development Service North East, said:
"At Tynedale Enterprise Festival our advisers will be on hand to talk to farmers about yielding important extra income.
"The Rural Enterprise Scheme aims to support farmers and others in rural areas in developing new and innovative ideas to ensure a sustainable future for rural businesses and communities.
"Our research indicates that in the North East hundreds of farmers have diversified into sport and recreation, running tourist ventures, and many are also involved in processing and retailing.
"An estimated 70 per cent of farming households supplement their income by diversifying into other activities or through outside work. More than half of all farms have diversified activities and one in four farmers or their spouses have outside jobs, according to research.
He added: "We need innovative and competitive farmers. RES investment will continue to help them to improve performance.''
The Defra / RDS team will be at the following Festival Roadshows:
- Allendale Town at Deneholme 11am - 2.30pm on Monday, 14 November;
- Prudhoe High School 6-8.30pm on Tuesday, 15 November;
- Bellingham Town Hall 10.30am - 2.30pm on Wednesday, 16 November;
- Haltwhistle Methodist Church Hall 10.30am - 2.30pm on Thursday, 17
November;
- Haydon Bridge High School 6pm - 8.30pm on Friday, 17 November;
- Trinity Methodist Church, Hexham 10.30am - 2.30pm on Saturday, 19
November;
- Kirkharle Courtyard 11.30am - 3.30pm on Sunday, 20 November.
To book a one-to-one appointment with an adviser at any of the events
contact Rachel Colquhoun of Defra / RDS on TEL: 0191 229 5454.
