RABDF brought together around 40 aspiring dairy farmers to Stoneleigh Park this week for the Entrepreneurs in Dairying business training programme’s final session. The room was brimming with mind blowing enthusiasm demonstrated by individuals who have a passion to farm dairy and are willing to embrace the fact they need to be equipped with an array of business skills to succeed.
The event which also provided an opportunity for networking and discussing further opportunities with likeminded individuals and industry professionals, marked the end of the latest Entrepreneurs in Dairying course featuring a series of eight weekly sessions staged at Cannington, Somerset, Newton Rigg, Cumbria, Reaseheath, Cheshire and Gelli Aur, Carmarthen.
Students with their course organisers, front row
Entrepreneurs in Dairying, which is managed by RABDF in collaboration with AHDB Dairy, the NFU and The Andersons Centre, has proved to be a massive success in attracting students who have real confidence in the sector.
Since launching two years ago, 78 students have successfully completed the course which is designed to equip them with information on how to run their own successful dairy business, expand their understanding of world markets, financial management and succession planning, and provide them with a network of industry contacts and peers.
Once again, Entrepreneurs in Dairying attracted students from a variety of backgrounds, including those working in the industry with no farm to return to and those from outside the industry with little or no dairy experience, as well as those with a farming family background. However, they all had one thing in common, to progress their careers and develop their own farming business.
Students attending Entrepreneurs in Dairying 2013 and 2014 have gone on to successfully achieve their ambition by taking the first rung on the ladder, or the next few steps up by being appointed to herd manager, securing a joint venture position or tenancy, purchasing a property or returning home to manage the family unit.
RABDF is looking forward to developing Entrepreneurs in Dairying 2016, working with each of the colleges and their core contacts and welcoming a new set of applicants. If you are interested in enrolling on our 2016 course this autumn please email your details to victoriachomiak@rabdf.co.uk