£20K for a Fruit Sector Champion

Growers can bid for £20,000 to explore climate change in the fruit sector.

The South East England Development Agency, SEEDA, has agreed to fund a year-long probe which should address how growers can adapt to climate change and mitigate climate change impacts.

The scheme is managed for SEEDA by the Farming & Rural Issues Group, and seeks to implement aims identified within the Curry Report and the subsequent Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy. The chosen project champion must then share his/her knowledge and experience with industry and interested parties towards later this year.

Funding:

£20,000 is available to the appointed Champion. Funding is not for any significant capital expenditure, but can be used to reimburse the successful applicant for time spent away from his/her business and other expenses related to the project. Work done by a third party can be reimbursed provided that such work has been done under the supervision of the Champion. Applicants have to be based within the South East region.

Applications:

Inquiries to Shaun Leavey (Chairman Farming & Rural Issues Group) via battlegreen@waitrose.com or 02392 632179 . Applications need to be lodged by email before 17th March 2008. Initial applications need only be a CV and a brief outline of the project that the applicant wishes to pursue.