Top think-tank’s Welsh expert helps set up farming businesses
A FARMING expert is to help people establish agricultural businesses as the Welsh representative of a leading European think-tank.
Einir Davies, 28, from Machynlleth, will join the New Entrant netWork, known as NEWBIE. The group’s aim is to support those who start a new farm business or become involved in an existing set-up.
Ms Davies will work within the NEWBIE UK steering group, which is part of a network of nations including the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, France and Germany.
Their collective role is to focus on innovative support methods such as business incubators, which offer technical advice and training in the farming sector.
Ms Davies, a graduate of Cardiff University, has a wealth of experience in farming and is development and mentoring manager for Cardiffbased Menter a Busnes, which delivers Farming Connect on behalf of the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Farming Connect provides targeted support for new entrants to the industry, who are often the lifeblood of many sustainable farm businesses in Wales.
In her role, she manages agriculture projects including the Agri Academy, which helps identify and train the next generation of farming leaders in Wales, Venture, and Management Exchange, as well as other mentoring and development programmes.
Ms Davies, who is also the daughter of a farmer, said: “Anyone looking to start or build a business in farming faces a number of barriers, including access to land, labour, capital and knowledge of the industry. NEWBIE will make sure support is available for new entrants across Europe.
“The project shares similarities with Menter a Busnes’ agricultural service Farming Connect, which offers targeted support for new entrants who are often vital for sustainable farming business in Wales.
“I’m looking forward to taking part in the group to find out about the alternative approaches employed in Europe, as well as sharing my experiences of working in Wales.
“For example, the Farming Connect Venture programme already has a successful track record of matching up those wishing to exit or scale back from the industry with those wanting to get their first foot on the ladder. It’s been very rewarding to provide both sides with the necessary support and guidance to help them achieve their objectives.
“I’ve already had feedback from colleagues in the steering group that other regions in the UK do not have any comparable offering to the integrated services offered in Wales.”
The NEWBIE project, set up by the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, will run from 2018-21, and has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.