06.01.05
Objective One adviser's farm course success

Objective One agricultural, horticultural, food and land based industry adviser Elizabeth Menmuir is set for a high flying future in the industry after completing an intensive and highly respected management course.

Elizabeth, 28, was one of 16 accepted for the annual Worshipful Company of Farmers "The Challenge of Rural Leadership Course", run in conjunction with the University of Plymouth at their Seale Hayne Campus in Devon.

"The course is very well respected in our industry and applications are sought both nationally and internationally so I felt very privileged to be offered the opportunity to attend," said Elizabeth.

"The Worshipful Company look for people that they feel can make a difference and to a certain extent lead within the industry to assist it to develop and grow in the future. The aim of the course is to develop you as an individual and as a group, they look to build the confidence of the participants and encourage you to meet your full potential."

The two-week intensive course covers a wide range of global and national agricultural and rural issues and stimulated discussion on issues as wide ranging as genetically modified crops to team leadership. The course included a case study of a farming and food processing business where students looked at options and future direction for the farm and gave a formal presentation to the two business partners.

There was also work with the media, including mock interviews with Westcountry television and a visit to the Western Morning News, where the group met editor Barrie Williams as well as farming correspondent Peter Hall.

The group was predominantly made up of active farmers and a smaller number of industry professionals, four of which were women, and were from as far afield as Scotland and Adelaide, Australia.

"As a group we got on really well and although it was two weeks of hard work the group all thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity to work with some very forward thinking members of the industry and we are planning to maintain the network over the coming year," added Elizabeth.

David Rodda, Senior Agricultural Co-ordinator for the Cornwall Agricultural Council Development Team commented: "It is the policy of the team to invest in its members and encourage them to undertake continual professional development on an on-going basis. This not only develops the individual but also helps to develop and improve the level of service provided by the team to the agricultural, horticultural, food and land based sectors in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. I am very pleased that Elizabeth was accepted and has successfully completed this course and look forward to seeing her applying the lessons learned in her day to day activity."

Elizabeth concluded: "The course has not only developed me as an individual but has instilled a sense of pride in the industry in which I work. All too often agriculture is portrayed as a declining industry, actually farming in Britain has a lot going for it with some very committed and enthusiastic individuals involved, and who really enjoy working in the industry. I would thoroughly recommend the course and encourage anyone who is interested to apply. We are very fortunate in Cornwall at present to have Objective One investment which supports professional development of this nature in our industry. I would be happy to discuss the course with anyone who is interested to find out more."

For further information please contact the Objective One Communications Team on 01872 223439, email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk or Elizabeth Menmuir on 01872 322841.

Editor's notes:

Objective One European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) is the element within the Objective One Programme that assists agriculture, horticulture, food and the land based sector. It can assist with food processing, energy crops, forestry, training and farm diversification projects.

The Cornwall Agricultural Council Development Team is a dedicated team of people who are in post to facilitate potential applications to Objective One EAGGF. They are fully funded by EAGGF and Defra so their assistance is freely available to potential applicants. The team is hosted by Cornwall Enterprise and receive their strategic steer from the Cornwall Agricultural Council, contact 01872 322810.

The main aims and objects of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, whose Grant of Charter of Incorporation was made in 1955, are: to stimulate the development of agricultural education; to provide financial assistance for overseas visits by agricultural students; to provide a common meeting ground for farmers and allied professions; to promote a better understanding of the importance of farming in the economic life of the nation and the close association of farming with the City of London. More than 70 per cent of the members of the Company are farmers, while the remainder are engaged in ancillary agricultural occupations. The Company shares a hall with the Fletchers' Company in Cloth Street.

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

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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