Enterprise

More volunteers are needed to deliver the next LEADER and Fisheries programmes in Moray.

Over 100 people from across rural Perthshire braved the snow and ice to attend the launch of the Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER programme on 14 January. 

After a spot of networking at the various stands the meeting commenced with the Local Action Group Chair, with Jackie Brierton speaking passionately about the opportunities that the Local Development Strategy offers in terms of stronger networking, collaboration, a well connected sustainable local economy with communities coming together.

The Gathering 2016

The Gathering is Scotland’s largest event for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations. It’s free and everyone’s welcome.

Organised every year by SCVO, it’s a place for people working in the third sector to network, showcase what they do and learn from each other. It’s also a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the third sector to come along and get involved. There’s a bustling exhibition and marketplace with over 100 exhibitors, and a packed programme featuring more than 60 workshops, seminars and training sessions.

Scottish Smallholding and Grower Festival 2016

Now in it's fifth year, the Festival has something for everyone interested in smallholding in Scotland. With shows of sheep, goats, pigs and poultry and waterfowl and cattle breed societies, and with a focus on rare and traditional breeds, it's a great place to meet breeders and make connections. There's also trade stands and craft exhibitors; a Garden, Craft and Food competition; rural skills demonstrations and a programme of fifteen talks to inform, inspire and educate.

Smallholding Scotland Conference 2016

Featuring six sessions delivered by experts in their field, it's a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, learn something new and enjoy a bit of smallholder chat and socialising before the days get longer and outdoor tasks start to take priority.

Tickets only available online at £25 each, includes lunch, refreshments and delegate pack.

The 2016 BBC Food & Farming Awards are now open for entries until 24 January.

BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme is calling on people across the UK to nominate their favourite producers, workplace cooks, local markets and food heroes for the awards.

This year, the nine award categories are:

SAOS Members' Day and Conference: shaping future agriculture through cooperation

For their 2016 conference, SAOS are continuing with the format of two morning forum workshops. They expect this year’s topics to prove popular as SAOS’ Jim Booth will be joined by Angela Tregear and Sarah Cooper of Edinburgh University Business School to discuss the results of a study of four marketing co-ops and the role co-ops play in supporting KT/learning amongst their members. The other forum, hosted by their next generation team members, with guest speakers, examines why we sometimes criticise, rather than celebrate, business expansion and success, assuming “they just got lucky”.

Expressions of Interest are currently being accepted for the Making Local Woods Work project.

Making Local Woods Work is being led by the Plunkett Foundation in partnership with other organisations to help support and grow woodland-based social enterprises across the UK.

West Kilbride has won the Village category in this year's Great British High Street Awards.

Organisers of the awards said the Ayrshire village "showed that big does not mean better. In a tough category West Kilbride shone out for transforming itself as a craft village, for supporting local artists and for turning around the village with creativity and enthusiasm". 

A mini farm shop vending machine is being trialled at Forth Valley College.

The vending machine at Forth Valley College's Stirling Campus offers a broad variety of local products from different producers including bread, vegetables and eggs.

The ten-day pilot scheme aims to connect more consumers with their local producers and, if successful, could see mini farm shops pop up across the city.

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