A new service has been set up to deliver support and advice to farms and rural businesses in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
Business Link, which formerly provided the service, is due to close at the end of November but its successor, Peninsula Enterprise, has created a specialist service called Rural Focus.
A new series of events has already been announced, as well as a number of other initiatives including free telephone advice clinics.
Rural Focus will continue to provide free, independent and impartial advice from a team of specialist and experienced advisers within each county as well as providing guidance, business reviews and support for anyone looking to take advantage of relevant RDPE programmes.
The free professional advice within the R4F programme on how best to manage farm resources and waste most efficiently is also continuing.
“More and more farmers and rural businesses are looking to improve efficiencies and develop their core operations rather than to diversify, and it’s important we take full account of new developments in RDPE support schemes and the potential implications of current CAP reform discussions,” said David Hynd, Head of Rural Services at Peninsula Enterprise.
“We are determined to ensure our range of services for South West farmers and rural businesses reflects fully the changing needs and priorities in all areas of the rural economy.”
To contact an adviser, find out more about the Rural Focus service or book a place on one of the forthcoming workshops, call Rural Focus on 08456 047 047, email enquiries@ruralfocus.info or visit www.ruralfocus.info
The dates, venues and times for the first series of Rural Focus workshops are:
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Trethorne Golf Club and Hotel, Launceston, Cornwall: Wednesday, 9 November
Junction 24, Sedgemoor, Somerset: Wednesday, 7 December
The Tiverton Hotel, Tiverton, Devon: Tuesday, 13 December
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Darts Farm, Topsham, Exeter, Devon: Thursday, 24 November
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, Cornwall: Wednesday, 30 November
Horton Cross Farm, Ilminster, Somerset: Thursday, 8 December
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