£20 Million Fund Will Help Up-skill Farmers, Foresters and Growers

11/16/2011 10:47 AM EST

A new £20 Million fund will help England’s farmers, foresters and growers develop the skills needed to become more efficient, competitive and profitable says Lantra Awards.

The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) will provide businesses with grants up to £25,000 between now and December 2013. Eligible projects for the FFIS funding must fall into one of the following categories: Nutrient Management, Energy Efficiently, Water Resource Management, Forestry and Animal Health and Welfare.

Lesley Barr, Lantra Awards’ Head of Product Development said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses in England to get training to increase their skills and ultimately make themselves more profitable, while working to support the environment.

“There are many courses, awards and qualifications available that will increase the skills of professionals and businesses applying for this grant such as energy crops and land-based activities.”

The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme is part of Defra’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). To find out more about the FFIS funding scheme, visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/11/10/pb13678-ffis-guidance/.

To find out more about Lantra Awards’ training courses, awards and qualifications, visit www.lantra-awards.co.uk.

ENDS


ISSUED BY
Lantra Awards Press Office
Tel: 02476 858 418 or email  

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NOTES TO EDITOR



About Lantra Awards

Lantra Awards, one of the UK’s leading awarding and accrediting organisations, offers and develops national qualifications in a range of subject areas related to the land-based and environmental industries. It also offers provision for the voluntary and construction sectors.

Its delivers courses through a network of more than 500 training providers, and more than 50,000 learners attend its technical awards courses each year.
Lantra Awards is a registered charity and wholly owned subsidiary of Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the land-based and environmental sectors.
For more information see www.lantra-awards.co.uk.