Bishop Burton College course for future managers hailed a success
August 21, 2017
Last month young people taking part in this year’s course as part of the Farm Management Development Programme took part in their second one-week residential programme.
The Farm Management Development Programme is a new training course that has been developed by farmers for farmers. The course helps young people to develop their skills to prepare them for a management position in farming or a rural business.
Through the delivery of two, one week residential programmes participants learn from their shared experiences as well as hearing from speakers from within the industry on topics such as: how to prepare a whole farm budget, analysis of farm accounts, people management, motivation, leadership and leadership styles, machinery costs, understanding the costs of production, how to benchmark against other farm businesses, communication skills, time management, marketing, resource planning and risk management.
James Nightingale, who attended this year, is a partner in the family farm that is based in the Vale of York. Over the last few years James has worked on developing their contracting business.
As part of this, he farms several acres for local farmers and works for Cockerills, a local potato firm; where he drives their potato harvester and assists with planting. On the family farm James, has also assisted with diversification into holiday retreats which include log cabins and luxury cottages. James is currently secretary for the local R.A.B.I committee and hopes to take on the role of chairman at the AGM in January this year.
Of the course, James said “I would like to thank the Course Directors and yourself. What a great course you have created here, the mix of humour, straight talking and to the point ideas is just fantastic. I think that I am speaking on behalf of the group when say what a truly enjoyable and educational first week we have had. The choice of speakers was “on the money”, no two the same and all with the same passion and belief in British Agriculture.
True friends have been made this week and I cannot wait to see where our ideas and drive will take us!”
The course has received grant funding from: The Princes Countryside Fund, Chadacre Agricultural Trust and the Hadleigh Farmers Agricultural Association.
