Advice for farmers and growers on renewable energy

Lincolnshire and Fenland farmers and growers can get advice on how to make use of natural resources at a special conference in November, with EU funding administered by Defra.

The two-day renewable energies event, which will be held at Warwick HRI in Kirton, near Boston, Lincolnshire on 24 and 25 November, is funded jointly by two LEADER+ groups; Lincolnshire Fenland (south

Lincolnshire) and Fens LeAP (north Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk), and the Wash Estuary Strategy Group.

The event aims to raise awareness of renewable energies, including the sun, windpower and waste, and how these can help local farmers, growers and agricultural students power their businesses, diversify, increase their profitability and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

LEADER + is a European Community initiative, managed in England by Defra, which assists rural communities to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of their area.

The two-day event will start with seminars from leading practitioners, followed by workshops where case studies will show how to 'make it happen'. Over 25 commercial and support organisations will also be present on the first day.

The second day will include a visit to the of premises of SEARCH Architects at Long Sutton near Spalding, run by eco award winning architect Jerry Harrall, to see their environmentally friendly building techniques. This will be followed by a trip to the headquarters of Rural Energy in Leicestershire, who use fully automated wood chip and pellet fired heating systems.

John Boyer, of Lincolnshire Fenland LEADER+ Action Group, said:

"This event will help with the movement of this necessary, exciting, potentially profitable and environmentally sound method of present and future energy supply.

"It is hoped the businesses will be enabled to make more informed decisions and assessments as to which renewable energy options are likely to prove acceptable and economical to their own businesses."

Marianne Baker from Fens LeAP LEADER+, said:

"Resources are available - The UK is one of the windiest islands in Europe, we can successfully use waste products to produce energy, and our processing and recycling sites have green waste available. We hope this event will enable local farmers, growers and horticultural/agricultural students to see these energy systems in action and talk to people using them so they can see that renewable energy can work for them, their businesses and the environment."

Tammy Smalley from the Wash Estuary Strategy Group, said:

"This event should demonstrate to farmers and growers that renewable energies can be for them. We will be able to show them how they can take advantage of waste products, wind and the sun to increase their profitability and help the environment while also providing insight into the various relevant planning considerations."

Anyone interested in attending the event should contact: Jo Finlow or John Boyer at the Lincolnshire Fenland LEADER+ Office on 01205 821525 or email info@lincsfenland.org.uk