SAC is to lead a two year rural training programme for the farming, food and forestry sectors in Cumbria. The signing of the contract, for a £1.7m project, marks an important milestone in SAC’ s expansion south of the border and will give SAC an extended reach to an additional group of rural clients.
Jonathan Cowens, Director of SAC Consulting is delighted.
"Over the past twelve months Ian Cairns, the English Regional Manager for SAC Farm & Rural Business Services has led a consortium bidding for a Farming Food and Forestry Training Grant from the North West Regional Development Agency. I am delighted that, with the signing of the contract, we can begin to deliver the specified initiatives."
The 2 year training programme covers 2 LEADER Local Action Group regions; Cumbria Fells and Dales (CFD) and Solway Border and Eden (SBE). Most local rural businesses will have the opportunity to take part and benefit from the training projects. SAC will head a team including The Farmer Network, Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency, Westmorland Agricultural Society, XL Vets, Cumbria Woodlands and Friends of the Lake District.
The 24 separate training projects will cover a diverse range of subjects from chainsaw training to rural leadership. Each project was drawn up in response to training needs analysis work carried out in rural Cumbria during 2009.
According to SAC’s Wooler based Regional Manager Ian Cairns SAC will be responsible for delivering 9 of the 24 projects and will appoint a full time project manager to be based in the SAC Kendal office at Crooklands, Milnthorpe.
" Our contribution includes practical support for developing rural food businesses and a Cumbrian livestock monitor- farm linking practical livestock production with climate change & carbon management."
"Meanwhile the next generation of regional rural leaders will benefit from SAC experience in delivering hands -on business skills. Their Development Programme will include learning about regional, national and European governance of the rural sector."
The programme is funded by Defra using financial support from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and will be managed by the two LEADER Local Action Groups in Cumbria. It will focus on key Defra priority areas, including upland farming, water protection, rural information systems.
