Programme at Cafre aims to diversify

If you are a farmer who is interested in diversifying, Dard senior rural enterprise adviser Claire Anderson urges you to act now...

A new year is a time for new beginnings, doing something different or taking a fresh look at things.

For those who have recently started a diversification business, the Diversification Challenge Business Start programme run by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (Cafre) offers an opportunity to sharpen your skills to make you a better, more focused business manager.

The programme takes place over 12 weeks, starting in mid-January, with formal input delivered weekly in the evenings.

A number of topics will be covered, ranging from marketing on a budget to interpreting your accounts.

Each evening a specialist speaker will address a topical business area and share best practice with you.

Participation is free and there will be the opportunity to receive 12 hours of mentoring support from specialists.

Additionally you will receive accreditation from the Institute of Leadership and Management and obtain the most recent information

on funding opportunities available to you through the Rural Development Programme.

By enrolling on the programme you will be teaming up with others in a position similar to yourself and taking part in an award-winning programme.

You will gain collectively from the pool of experience in the group and establish new contacts for your business.

At the end of the 12-week programme you will have the opportunity to main-

tain this new network through involvement in Dard’s Diversification Business Clubs.

• For more information about the programme, times and venues, contact your nearest rural enterprise adviser or telephone 028 9052 4591.