37 Farmer Network Like many other business sectors, volatility, uncertainty and instability are the greatest risks to farm businesses, and Britain’s food security. Farmers have seen huge increases in costs, including fertilisers, energy and animal feed, which they cannot pass on. The Farmer Network’s training voucher scheme has been operating for many years. It helps farmers afford the cost of what can be expensive, legally required training to help improve health and safety, develop their skills and improve their ability to earn additional income by working for other farmers. This is particularly important for the younger members of farming families where there is insufficient profit on the home farm to pay them a full-time wage. Project Manager Veronica Waller said: Training vouchers are worth up to £200 and cover a range of training courses including use of pesticides and machinery, shearing and Artificial Insemination. The Farmer Network also offers farm diversification workshops to help develop farm businesses and help farmers adapt to the changes to farm support payments. CASE STUDY We are very concerned about the ability of small family farms to sustain the next generation of farmers and helping them afford the cost of training is particularly important at this time. 36
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI5NzM=