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The Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition ONLY 1 WEEK TO GO!

By Industry News

Round 1 of the 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition (YHoY) is well underway and the closing date Thursday 29th February is approaching fast!  We have a new platform, a new look registration and single link access to the round making it quick and easy to register and take part!

ENTER HERE

The competition is open to anyone across the UK and Ireland, who is under 30 on 31st July 2024.  Whether you are a student, apprentice or working in the industry, or know someone who is, this is a fantastic opportunity to test your horticultural knowledge and network with a wide range of individuals from across the industry.

The winner of the competition gain’s the prestige title of ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ and will receive a £2,500 travel bursary from The Percy Thrower Trust, generously provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society.  The winner can undertake a trip, anywhere in the world, to study, complete work experience or embark on visits related to their chosen field of horticulture.

The Grand Final will be held on Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at Hestercombe House and Gardens, Taunton.

Hestercombe has a rich and diverse history, with the first written record of the estate in 682.  It is famous for its unique collection of gardens which span three centuries of garden history and design, first mentioned in a medieval charter in 1249. The formal Garden is hailed as one of the finest examples of the world-renowned partnership of Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens, skilfully restored to its originally glory after the original Jekyll planting plans were discovered undisturbed in the potting shed for nearly 70 years when restoration

Victoria George, the National Organiser said “it is another exciting year, Round 1 is in full swing and entries are racking up from the colleges and industry across the whole of the UK and Ireland.  It has been great to see such a wide range of entrants, and I can’t wait to announce the Round 1 winners on Friday 1st March”.

To find out more about the competition and how to take part, visit the Young Horticulturist of the Year page.

If you are interested in sponsoring the 2024 competition, please contact the Chartered Institute of Horticulture – Email: yhoy@horticulture.org.uk

The UK fresh produce sector: Review of the supply chain

By Industry News

Defra has launched its consultation into fairness in the supply chain for the fresh produce sector. The consultation is one of the key commitments made at the Downing Street Farm to Fork Summit in May 2023 and builds upon work already underway to improve fairness in the pork, dairy and egg supply chains.  

The consultation is aimed at finding out more about … 

  • how the UK fresh produce sector currently functions 
  • the nature of the relationships across the supply chain 
  • whether the fresh produce supply chain could be improved and how 

And getting a better understanding of the issues around fairness and transparency that exist within the sector. 

The hope is that this will enable Defra to design future policy aimed at promoting better business practice and making the supply chain fairer for all.  

This is the link to the online consultation.  

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/supply-chain-fairness/contractual-relationships-in-the-uk-freshproduce-i/ 

The consultation closes on 11:45pm on 22 February 2024. 

British Growers will be making a submission to the consultation so if anyone wants to send us their thoughts and ideas for incorporation into the submission, please let us have them as soon as possible.   

 

 

British Growers Join OFC Organisers

By Company News, Industry News

British Growers Join OFC Organisers

Stepping up and getting involved is very much at the heart of the Oxford Farming
Conference (OFC) ethos and, following the retirement of the previous Secretariat, British
Growers Association has joined the ranks.
The British Growers Association, which has all the skills needed at its fingertips with its work
providing a centralised shared administrative, accountancy, events and conference services
for its existing members, is already busy ensuring the smooth running of the OFC.
Lisa Eagles, Managing Director of British Growers, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have
been given the opportunity to work with The Oxford Farming Conference, a prestigious
annual event which brings together the farming industry to discuss and debate big issues”.
“The Oxford Farming Conference Secretariat appointment enhances our portfolio of clients
and we look forward to developing a strong partnership.”
Pauline Sutton, Client Manager at British Growers, is heading up the secretariat team which
is responsible for administration, ticket sales and outreach programmes (Inspire, Scholars
and Bursaries), as well as the wider organisation administration and management of the
voluntary Board.
They join Hawk AV, Jane Craigie Marketing (JCM), and Clare Greener (partnership and
sponsorship).
The theme for this year’s conference, the Power of Diversity, aims to celebrate all aspects of
diversity – people, farming systems, genetics, and markets, to name just a few. True to the
mission of the OFC, it will also explore the diversity of thought and opinion.
Chair of #OFC24, Welsh beef and arable farmer Will Evans, 45, praised British Growers for
taking on the “key role” of conference secretariat.
“I’m delighted to be working with British Growers,” said Will. “They bring a wealth of
experience to this key role and it’s great to know that with them at the helm all the
information will be in place for a fantastic conference.”

 

To find out more visit www.ofc.org.uk

LSA Fellowship Scheme – Applications Close Soon

By Company News, Industry News

Have you applied for the LSA Fellowship Scheme?

The application window is open for the 2024 LSA Fellowship scheme. We are looking for the future leaders of the UK’s horticulture industry to take part in the Fellowship.

 

KEY FACTS

  • 2-year Fellowship scheme
  • Exposure to all elements of the UK’s horticultural industry
  • Herbs to Hardy Nursery Stock production.
  • R&D to marketing
  • £3,000 bursary to cover your Fellowship event & meeting expenses
  • Attendance at events in the UK and overseas
  • Part of a group of 12 Fellows, developing a close network with your peers
  • Connect with key representatives from across the industry.
  • Supportive network of Fellowship Alumni

“The Fellowship provides an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming executives in the horticulture industry to widen their perspective, create a network and equip themselves for a future role in leadership of the industry. These are exciting and challenging times for horticulture, and the LSA Fellows will be vital in shaping our sector for the future.”  Commented Martin Emmett, LSA Trustee

Libby Rowland graduated from the scheme in 2022, she encourages others to apply for the scheme:

“Being one of the first cohort on the LSA CT Fellowship was a brilliant experience. It gives you a fantastic support network of other young people in the industry, each with their own network to draw learnings and experience from. We’ve attended countless different events, from nursery visits and conferences to meetings with policymakers and I’ve come away from it wiser, more confident and with pride at being part of such a great initiative.”

During the last 12 months the Fellows taking part in the 2-year scheme have attended events such as Cultivate 2023, Fruit Logistica, Horticulture Food Loss Network, HTA Plant Show and the International Blueberry Conference. Enabling the Fellows to expand their interests, get an insight into future opportunities and innovations and network with different sections of the industry.

The Fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in horticulture to gain experience in all sectors of the industry. The Scheme is now recruiting it’s 6th cohort and has the support of such prestigious organisations like the National Farmers Union, British Growers Association, The Horticultural Trades Association, and The Chartered Institute of Horticulture. With this backing, the Fellowship will no doubt continue to empower talented, knowledgeable leaders in the commercial horticulture industry for years to come.

 

To apply for the scheme please visit: www.lsactfellowship.org. Applications open on 1st September 2023. The deadline for applications is 31st October 2023.

For more information on the scheme please visit the website www.lsactfellowship.org or contact Coral Clark at British Growers on coral.clark@britishgrowers.org , or call: 01507 602427.

 

LSA 2024 Application Window Opens on 1st September 2023

By Industry News

Attention all aspiring horticulture professionals!

The 6th intake for the Fellowship will be opening for applications on September 1st, 2023.

If you’re looking to develop your career within the horticulture industry, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. The Fellowship is designed to nurture future leaders in the commercial horticulture industry and is supported by some of the industry’s leading organisations, including the National Farmers Union, the British Growers Association, The Horticultural Trades Association and the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.

One of the key benefits of the Fellowship is the opportunity to broaden your perspective, create a network, and equip yourself for a future leadership role within the industry. The Managing Agent for the Scheme, Coral Clark, commented, “These are exciting and challenging times for horticulture, and the LSA Fellows will be vital in shaping our sector for the future.”

Here are the top 5 reasons why you should apply for the Fellowship:

1) Increase your understanding of the commercial horticulture industry and the role that trade bodies play in the development of industry strategies.

2) Our two-year scheme increases your knowledge of current research and wider industry issues.

3) Opportunity to attend meetings and study tours across the horticulture sector, covering technical, strategy, and marketing.

4) Chance to experience the entire horticulture industry; from Lettuce production to Hardy Shrub production.

5) You will be awarded a bursary of up to £3,000 which you can draw down on to cover your activities within the scheme.

Lauren Hladun, a 2021 Fellow, had this to say about her experience, “The Fellowship has been a superb opportunity to meet similar like-minded individuals from across all sectors of the industry. Each fellow brings a different set of skills and knowledge to the group, and together we have been able to share experiences and learn from each other, as well as attend various industry meetings, and conferences, and visit business and research facilities throughout the UK which are pivotal to the development of the sector. I would highly recommend the LSA fellowship scheme to any young person who is looking to expand their knowledge and understanding of the horticultural industry.” Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to take your career to the next level!

The Fellowship opens for the 2023 intake on the 1st September and closes on the 31st October. Application forms and scheme information can be found on our website www.lsactfellowship.org. For more information, please contact Coral Clark at British Growers on  coral.clark@britishgrowers.org or 01507 602427.

 

British Leafy Salads Demo Day – 21st June 2023

By Events, Company News, Industry News

The British Leafy Salads Association (BLSA) is thrilled to announce the Weeding Demonstration Day, scheduled to take place on the 21st of June 2023 at PDM Produce in Newport, Shropshire. This event aims to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge about efficient weed management techniques in the leafy salads industry.

The Weeding Demonstration Day is made possible by the generous support and sponsorship of Stout Industrial Technology, Agriseed (UK) Ltd, and Planttape. Their commitment to the advancement of weed management in the leafy salads industry is instrumental in making this event a success.
In addition to the main sponsors, the BLSA is delighted to have Oper8 and Edwards Farm Machinery as the Lunch Sponsor, ensuring that attendees will be provided with a delicious meal during the event. Hazera Seeds have also come forward as sponsors of the event booklet, providing attendees with valuable resources and information.

Event Highlights:
Weeding Demonstrations: Industry-leading specialists will showcase the latest advancements in weed management techniques, including innovative machinery, precision technologies, and sustainable practices.

Industry Talk: Brian Antle, from Tanimura & Antle in the US, will address salad trends in America and innovation in producing field scale salad crops, offering valuable insights into global industry perspectives.

Networking Opportunities: Participants can interact with peers, industry professionals, and representatives from various organizations, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices.

Exhibition Area: Leading suppliers, technology providers, and agricultural companies will showcase their latest products, services, and solutions in weed management.

The Weeding Demonstration Day is a must-attend event for farmers, growers, researchers, industry professionals, and anyone involved in the leafy salads sector. By harnessing the latest advancements in weed management, the industry can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the delivery of safe, nutritious, and high-quality leafy salads to consumers.

The event is open to both BLSA members and non-members, with tickets available at £20 for non-members. However, BLSA members can attend free of charge by using a special discount code provided exclusively to them. Furthermore, students can benefit from a discounted ticket price to encourage their participation in this educational and industry-focused event, email admin@britishgrowers.org for your discount code (students will also be asked to provide evidence of their of student ID).

Details of the Event:

Date: 21st June 2023 Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location: PDM Produce, Chadwell Park Farm, GREAT CHATWELL, Newport TF10 9BN

To purchase or register your ticket for the event, click here. Alternatively, contact the BLSA Team at admin@britishgrowers.orgadmin@britishgrowers.org