Farmers wanted to test agroforestry advice in ELMS
Farmers are being invited to take part in a scheme to trial advice on agroforestry given as part of the Environmental Land Management Scheme.
Participants will receive free advice, plus payment for the time involved.
The Defra-funded project will begin in September and is being run by the Woodland Trust. However, farmers are being asked to sign up by the beginning of June.
It is aimed at farmers who are interested in implementing agroforestry, but have not received any formal training or advice.
Credit: Woodland Trust
Once signed up each farmer will be randomly selected to complete one of four types of training programme:
One-to-one bespoke on-farm advice
Four one-and-a-half hour online training webinars
One day of group training on farm
A self-led course based on a list of resources
Once they have completed their training, farmers will be asked to submit a draft agroforestry design using a template provided. They will receive payment as a contribution towards their time participating in the test. They can also receive support to apply for funding to implement the scheme if required.
They will be asked to complete questionnaires pre and post training to help assess what their knowledge of agroforestry was at the start and how it might have improved through the training.
They will also complete a one-to-one interview to give feedback on the training they received.
Farmers interested in finding out more can email plant@woodlandtrust.org.uk with the subject ‘Defra Test and Trial’