SUSTAINABLE farming organisation Linking Environment And Farming and global crop protection and seed company Corteva Agriscience have teamed up in the search to develop new LEAF demonstration farmers.

The joint 'Resilient and Ready' programme will support two farmers to become industry leaders in sustainable farming. They will participate in an 'immersive, action-packed' three-year programme of training, technical support and mentoring to adopt more sustainable farming and gain the skills and know-how to showcase their expertise and go on to become a LEAF demonstration farmer.

LEAF's Alice Midmer said: “The farming industry is undergoing huge changes. The new Agriculture Bill and reforms to support payments through the new Environmental Land Management scheme will pay farmers for environmental services and benefits, with pricing based on a natural capital valuation approach. In order to stay competitive and maximise the opportunities these changes will open up, it will be critical for farmers to get on the front foot.

“Our Resilient and Ready training programme offers a hugely exciting opportunity for two forward thinking farmers to build the resilience of their own businesses and make a long and sustained contribution to the agricultural industry.

“We want to hear from entrepreneurial farmers who are in the mindset for change. They will have the vision, commitment and determination to learn new skills, to embrace the very latest thinking and make change happen.”

Discovery events are to be held in the Scottish Borders and the south of England where farmers will learn more about the project. These will take place on Friday October 25 at Bowhill Farming Ltd, Estate Office, Bowhill, Selkirk, and on Friday November 1, at E W Davies Farms Ltd, The Hydes, Thaxted, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 3QB.

Visit the LEAF website to find out more and to book on to a discovery event.