A team of field officers that is reaching out across Wales to give farmers the computer skills to run their businesses more efficiently has made two new appointments in Pembrokeshire. Hazel Scourfield, 45, a dairy farmer's wife from Wolfscastle, near Haverfordwest, and Nick Joseph, 30, who runs a quad bike activity centre on the family farm in Penally, have been drafted in by economic development company 'Menter a Busnes' to provide free one-to-one mentoring support to farmers in their home area. The computer mentoring is provided as part of the managing farms with IT project, which is run by lifelong learning organisation ELWa with European funding support. The two new recruits join a team of 17 field officers who provide on farm mentoring to farmers that have participated in further education college courses to assist them in implementing ICT to improve management, reduce paperwork and increase business efficiency. Farmers who have purchased farm specific software are also able to access support, especially if they need assistance to maximise the benefits of the programs. The field officers can also help farmers to use the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) and online benchmarking systems for dairy and beef farms. Farmers are entitled to up to six free visits depending on their circumstances. Hazel, who runs her own business providing farm support services, has experience of working for the Inland Revenue, a catalogue company, a call centre and also taught at Pembrokeshire College last year. Nick, a graduate of Brighton University, returned to Tenby 18 months ago to run a quad bike activity centre after working in the IT industry in London and Cardiff. He said he was keen to pass on his IT knowledge to farming families in South Pembrokeshire. "From what I have seen so far, nearly all farmers understand that IT is going to become crucial to their future whether they stay in farming or venture into other lines of business. "My task is to make farmers comfortable with computers and to use them effectively in their business." Developed as part of Farming Connect, the managing farms with IT project supports farm businesses with a raft of programmes, ranging from short IT courses to more detailed management and business training, to boost business performance, develop new ideas and help find off farm employment. Training at a variety of levels, from one-to-one mentoring on the farm to group courses, is being delivered by ELWa in partnership with a network of training providers that includes two further education consortia led by Coleg Llysfasi and Coleg Sir Gar supported by 'Menter a Busnes', Link Wales and ADAS. For more information about the mentoring support from 'Menter a Busnes', contact either Eirwen Williams on 01970 636295, Hazel Scourfield on 01348 840344 or Nick Joseph on 01834 843390.
