17.12.07
actnow visits 500th broadband farm in Cornwall

actnow, the pioneering Objective One partnership project that is led by Cornwall Enterprise and is spearheading the growth of broadband in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, has visited its 500th farm this week.

The use of broadband by Cornish farmers has been accelerated by actnow, which has promoted the benefits of broadband and ICT to farmers since 2005, offering rebates on broadband connection costs and free tailored advice on how farmers can make the most of the technology to help increase their efficiency and profitability.

Recent research by the University of Plymouth showed that the take up of broadband amongst farms in Cornwall is now ahead of anywhere else in the UK.

The 500th farm in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to receive free IT advice from actnow’s farms IT expert, Belinda Waldock, was Lesquite Farm, an organic beef farm with holiday accommodation near Looe.

Annette Tolputt of Lesquite Farm says: “Broadband has helped the farm carry out paperwork such as recording cattle movements much more easily. We also see broadband as a vital tool for marketing our holiday lets next year through our new website, www.lesquite.co.uk.

“actnow has helped us get up and running with broadband and given us the opportunity to explore further ways to improve our productivity through IT technology.”

As Chairman of Cornish Farm Holidays, Annette adds: “A large percentage of our group has also been helped by actnow. The project has been of great benefit to the farming community within Cornwall.”

Nigel Ashcroft, actnow Project Director says: “Broadband brings a huge number of advantages to farmers. It frees up a phone line, enables online banking, online purchasing and email communications with customers and suppliers at a time that is convenient for you. It can also be used to simplify the mountains of administration tasks facing farmers, for example applying for cattle passports online or communications with Defra.

“This successful project was originally funded through Objective One and Defra and we are pleased that we have been able to continue the project thanks to Rural Renaissance funding through the Rural Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership.”

Bill Holliday of the Rural Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership (www.ruralcornwall.co.uk) says: “Farming is at the heart of our rural communities and it is encouraging to see that so many farmers in Cornwall are making the most of broadband to improve productivity.”

actnow can still assist farms and smallholdings in Cornwall to connect to broadband and offer rebates of at least £60 on broadband costs so call actnow on 0800 800 935 or visit www.actnowcornwall.co.uk for further information. However, the funding will be ending soon – so hurry!

For further information please contact Lynn File, Brand Innovation, on 01208 821787.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the actnow project through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Editor's notes:

The actnow programme is a demand-led initiative to encourage businesses in Cornwall to gain the support they need to move into the broadband economy. It is one of the largest private and public sector partnerships in Cornwall since Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly was granted Objective One status by the European Union in 2000.

The £20 million pound project is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).  Other project partners include Cornwall Enterprise, the Objective One Partnership Office, BT, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), Cornwall County Council, Business Link Devon and Cornwall, Cornwall College and Rural Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Partnership.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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