We’re kicking off the new decade at the 11th annual Oxford Real Farming Conference (8-9th January), where you can meet Manager, Jonty, and Assistant Manager, Chris.
Enterprise and innovation are at the core of FarmED, which seeks to promote ecological, business and human diversity, support lifelong learning and inspire the next generation. As part of this work, Jonty is also leading two linked sessions on Exploring Rural Enterprise and Regenerative Entrepreneurship. He will be joined in the first session by David Bozward, Royal Agricultural University (RAU) Emma Mills, The Kitchen Garden People, James Ogders, Stream Farm and Ian Wilkinson from Cotswold Seeds.
The sessions will offer inspiration and insight into the business challenges and opportunities facing start-up and enterprising farmers and growers. It will offer practical advice and help foster sustainable and regenerative rural entrepreneurship in those who attend.
Session 1: Introduction and Panel Session (1 hour): In this first session we consider the advantages of diversification e.g. additional income, job creation, risk reduction and enhanced family cohesion. We will look at how new enterprises can be regenerative and what opportunities exist for new entrants.
Session 2: Business Planning Workshop (45 minutes) follows on from the previous introductory session. Jonty and David Bozward will help you to develop your new business and diversification ideas. This applied workshop will explain how and enable you to write a quick yet effective one-sided business plan using the business model canvas. What are your USPs and value proposition? What is your market? Have you identified your key costs and income streams? Who will you need to partner with?
Participants will develop their ideas in the session and will be invited to share their thoughts with others in the room.
Feel free to attend either one or both of the sessions.
Look forward to seeing you in Oxford or at FarmED, or both!
Warmest wishes for the year ahead,
Ian, Jonty, Chris and Sophie