This project is now complete and we have been delighted with the response of conservation organisations to this training opportunity.
What did we do?
Over the last two years hill farmers in Cumbria and Dartmoor delivered 19 training sessions on their farms for 124 people working for Natural England, Defra, RPA, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, National Park staff and other conservation NGOs. They told us they learnt a great deal about the nature of hill farming including the hill farming calendar and an understanding of the economics of hill farming. The hill farmer trainers agreed. We identified three key characteristics to the success of this pilot programme:
- The learning environment - training being held on farms, in an unofficial, relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
- The delivery - farmer trainers were perceived to be open and honest, particularly with reference to financial data.
- The flexibility - the opportunity to ask any questions, and participate in discussion.
As a result we are now charging to deliver hill farming training courses. We have contracts with Defra and Natural England to run 6 courses this year. The Defra courses are targeted at people working in London while the Natural England courses are targeted at project officers.
To read more about the pilot click here
If you are interested in hill farming training for your organisation, or would like to come on a training course please contact us through the website.
