Gloucestershire farmers urged to reassess resources

Local farmers and rural businesses are being urged to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to improve resource efficiency and make their business more cost-effective, resilient and environmentally friendly.

Business Link has launched a specialist advisory service to enable farmers to fully access the advice and financial support available through the Resources Efficiency for Farmers (R4F) programme. R4F is funded by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and runs until 2013.

Dairy farmers can apply for grants of up to £20,000 and all other farmers can apply for up to £10,000.

Roger Smith, Business Link’s Rural Advice Manager, said: "Resource efficiency is a growing concern throughout the rural business community and is born out of a desire to cut costs, a commitment to sustainability and the chance to create a marketable point of difference.

"This service offers farms and rural businesses the chance to receive expert, one-on-one advice from a consultant who will visit the business, carry out a resource review and draw up an action plan offering suggestions as to the best management of resources including energy, water, air and non-organic wastes, such as plastics. They will also help guide them through the application process to receive funding."

Across the South West, between September 2009 and November 2010, 350 R4F applications were granted, amounting to £1.6 million in funding. The most popular submissions include variable speed motors, heat recovery devices and rain water harvesting equipment.

As well as providing information about this programme, Business Link’s Rural Team can also help improve business performance and support the development of wider RDPE funding proposals, such as diversification.