The Prince’s Countryside Fund to pilot ‘training the trainer’ programme

The Prince’s Countryside Fund are piloting a project to train professionals who work closely with farming families, to support conversations around sensitive topics such as succession planning.

The Fund recognises the desperate need for farming families to plan for the future, and the lack of trained professionals that they can turn to for help.

Maddy Fitzgerald, Programme Manager at The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “The Fund’s work with farmer networks across the UK has shown a need for more staff to be trained, to help facilitate conversations around succession and planning for the future. This will ensure that there is support available for farming families to help with making difficult decisions during this period of transition. We hope that this programme helps prepare those working in the agricultural support sector, to ensure a diverse farming landscape for the future."

The workshops, delivered by Heather Wildman of Saviour Associates, will train up to 20 individuals on a one-day course in areas including;

• Looking at the challenges faced by farming families

• Training in how to handle difficult conversations

• How to structure your facilitation

• Legal requirements including public liability and indemnity insurance

The first session is being run in conjunction with Rural Support Northern Ireland and attended by representatives from that organisation, the Ulster Farmers Union, the Young Farmers Clubs and the banking sector.

Following this pilot session, further training days will be rolled out in Wales, Scotland and England in 2019.

For further information please contact Maddy Fitzgerald, Programmes Manager at The Prince’s Countryside Fund on 020 7566 8797