Growers urged to profit from £2.1m LandSkills fund

The fund is managed by Lantra on behalf of the South East England Development Agency and has already helped 8,322 farmers, foresters and growers improve their skill sets.

LandSkills South East programme manager Shelley Newton said: "The programme is extremely flexible so it can be used in a way that is best for you. Since September 2008, it has helped growers access a range of activities but, as with most funding, it doesn't last forever."

Past funding has been awarded for courses in crop protection, resource management, efficient energy use, increasing automation, water, soil and waste management, marketing, managing production costs and enhanced environmental performance.

Berry grower Hall Hunter Partnership harvest manager Karolina Forgasz has been on a LandSkills South East-funded management course. She said: "This training has helped me to do my job better and if you really want to improve your business, I would recommend accessing the training available."

- For further details, call LandSkills on 0845 278 8800, email landskillsse@lantra.co.uk or visit www.lantra.co.uk/LandSkills.