OUR VISION
Agriculture and its allied industries sit at the heart of North Devon and Torridge, but these sectors are facing unprecedented challenges and change. There is already significant innovation in the area, but by further boosting this, providing better infrastructure, and upskilling the workforce, we can improve food security, ensure self-sufficiency, and increase biodiversity gains.
As well as championing farmers directly with our farm support services, here’s how we’re working to support this sector.
ACTIVITY IN THE AREA
FUNDING & AWARENESS
We’re supporting our partners in raising awareness of and delivering capital grant schemes to support existing agriculture businesses, and encourage funding for larger projects like the Holsworthy Agri-Business Centre.
IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE
With the help of our partners, we encourage knowledge sharing and creating better links with education centres, supporting the establishment of a sector forum and a coordinated programme of local events.
PROVIDING SUPPORT
We provide specialist business support services for farmers and other agricultural businesses, including advice on digitisation and support submitting strong applications for funding and grants.
ADVOCATE FOR THE AREA
Our partners are lobbying for the improvement of infrastructure, delivery of new services and universal connectivity to make digitisation easier – all of which will improve local place appeal to draw in new talent.
HOW ND+ SUPPORTS THIS SECTOR
BUSINESS GROWTH SUPPORT
We help farmers and other agricultural businesses identify opportunities for growth, including accessing essential funding for innovation and modernisation.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT & DELIVERY
We offer support for large scale agricultural and green economy project management, from the first stages of planning to final delivery. This includes grant management.
PARTNERSHIP
FACILITATION
We encourage growth through knowledge sharing, collaboration and facilities - with a particular focus on boosting links with the maritime sector for crossover economic, skills and carbon gains.
SKILLS & TALENT
Agriculture is already a key sector in North Devon – it’s a major employer, and a major contributor to the local economy. To remain competitive and boost innovation, it’s essential to invest in both upskilling existing talent and growing the workforce. This involves educating and encouraging local young people to better understand what agricultural pathways are available and how to access them, and by improving infrastructure, innovation and knowledge of the local area to draw in talent from afar.
PARTNER SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL SKILLS AGENDA
CREATING SKILL PATHWAYS
Engaging with colleges, universities and other agricultural skill providers to create innovative new agri-skills pathways in North Devon & Torridge.
IMPROVING EDUCATION
Increasing access to courses, enabling key local growth opportunities in agri-tech and environmental intelligence.
INSPIRE STUDENTS
Encouraging events like Farmwise to take place in North Devon and Torridge to ensure primary school children see the range of opportunities from an early age.
NORTHERN DEVON MAKES
We support Northern Devon Makes - a centralised hub to easily find relevant businesses in the area and attract new talent. Check out the Makers Map!
OUR DELIVERY PARTNERS
Our delivery partners for this cluster include the below, as well as other local pharmaceutical and life sciences businesses, as well as care home providers throughout the region.
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS
DO WE DELIVER?
FARM SUPPORT
We provide farm support services to farms of all sizes, working to grow digital skills, improve cashflow, apply for grants and funding and more.
EXAMPLE PROJECT: Helping farmers learn digital skills, navigating complex SFI and other agri schemes.
INNOVATION
We support on large scale projects to improve long-term innovation and economic growth in the area.
EXAMPLE PROJECT: The upcoming Holsworthy Agri-Business Park.
