Funding is now available for East Midlands based farmer and grower led discussion groups as part of a three year £900,000 regional programme.

LandSkills East Midlands, which is managed by Lantra Sector Skills Council, is calling for business clubs or discussion groups to apply now for funding so they can develop what they are doing and add value to their activities.

Programme Manager, Richard Loynes, said: "The purpose of this call is to help existing groups be more innovative and get more out of their activities. Examples of this might include hiring specialist speakers to discuss topical industry developments and organising visits to learn best practice from similar enterprises."

LandSkills East Midlands has allocated over £200,000 towards its winter training programme, which includes courses offered by the British Pig Executive (BPEX) , the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), The National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS), XL Vets, Minster Vets, Fresh Start Northampton (Laurence Gould), Rural Training Links and Nottingham Trent University - Brackenhurst.

Richard continued: "The programme is gaining momentum fast and we have a number of providers already delivering training this winter season.  We are hoping that the successful groups will be able to start using the funds in the New Year and we will continue to call for providers to deliver more training and knowledge transfer activities over the next few months."

Groups have until the 18 December to apply and must demonstrate how the activities identified can improve the skills and knowledge of its members.  Whilst this call is primarily aimed at helping existing groups those that are looking to establish new farmer and grower discussion groups in the region are also eligible to apply.