The farming sector is gearing up for Farm & More, a new event from the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) set to take place next month.
The event, to be held at the Telford International Centre from January 25-27, 2010, will be addressed by farming minister Jim Fitzpatrick on the Tuesday before the conference breaks, into six themes that promise to bring fresh ideas and new directions for all kinds of diversified farming, farmers’ markets and artisan food businesses.
Delegates will participate in four tours, visiting 17 farm retail and attractions businesses, including Ludlow Food Centre and Hatton Country World on January 25 while a trade show with up to 100 exhibitors covering food, retail and leisure will follow the conference on the Wednesday.
Farm shop certification and producer verification schemes are to be launched at the event, as well as ideas for professional benchmarking for the sector, led by benchmarking guru Dennis Reid, who is among the key speakers at the conference. Farm shop certification and producer verification have both been supported through their development phases with a grant from DEFRA.
FARMA chairman Stuart Beare said: “I am very excited about Farm & More. It is just what our industry needs. The past 18 months have been difficult for almost everyone in the sector, but it’s now time to revive. Farm & More is the only event in the UK to focus on the whole of the diversified farming sector, with fresh ideas and strategies to make sure that, as the economy recovers, we build on what makes us distinctive and make the most of our opportunities.”
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