Industry Eye: Working together will cut your costs and increase returns for a more valuable future

During the three-year programme, Share to Farm has guided a wide range of businesses, large and small and from several sectors, through the process of setting up a Joint Venture. The projects have gone on to receive management support through Share to Farm.

Joint Ventures supported under the Share to Farm programme have included machinery sharing agreements, labour syndicates, collaborative storage and handling facilities and contract farming agreements for both livestock and arable enterprises.

Given the success of the first programme, we are pleased to announce that, with the support of Yorkshire Forward, RDPE monies have been secured to fund a second Share to Farm – Yorkshire and Humber programme. It will be managed by Andersons Northern and will be carried out by them in conjunction with English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) and Brown & Co. Funded advice and support is now available, through Share to Farm, at five key stages in the development of effective Joint Ventures.

Seminars: For the benefit of farmer groups, societies, discussion and training groups, seminars give an introduction to the advantages of working together, providing information and sharing examples of successful Joint Ventures. Funding available – 100 per cent.

Facilitation: Designed to help farmers on a one-to-one basis or in small groups, it includes a free half-day visit to discuss your specific objectives and options. Funding available – 100 per cent

Workshops: Offered to potential Joint Venture groups of two or more farming businesses, support at this stage will include more detailed discussion of objectives and options, identification of each parties resources and skills, identification of benefits and possible concerns. Funding available – 75 per cent.

Establishment: Once a group has decided to go forward to establish a Joint Venture the key services offered include detailed operational planning (how the JV will work on the ground), business planning, addressing funding issues, identifying the JV structure and responsibilities plus the drafting of agreements (that can include the provision of legal advice). Funding available – 75 per cent.

Mentoring: A comprehensive mentoring service is provided to all groups established under Share to Farm. Key services include support & advice, attendance at regular management meetings and assistance with the resolution of unforeseen challenges. Funding available: Year 1 – 75 per cent, Year 2 – 50 per cent, Year 3 – 25 per cent.

It is important to recognise that no two Joint Ventures are ever the same. With this in mind, the Share to Farm programme has been specifically designed to be very flexible, allowing the services offered under the programme to be tailored to suit each individual case.

If you are in the process of setting up a Joint Venture, or are look-

ing for some guidance on how to get started, your first point of contact to access the support available is James Severn of Andersons Northern, who manages the programme across Yorkshire and the Humber.

To receive an information pack call him on 01845 524455 or email [email protected]