The farming community needs to become more entrepreneurial in their approach to business and look at how other sectors innovate. Addressing this perceived gap, DCU Ryan Academy designed a ‘short practical interactive programme’ for farm owners and leaders in the agri-sector.

Organisers are keen to highlight that time is running out to register for the course which starts on June 4th.

With a strong focus on entrepreneurial skills, the Farm Entrepreneurship and Leadership Programme has evolved since its inception in 2012. The programme has gone from 5 days to a series of interactive workshops over 7 classroom days spread over a 12 week period. This is to allow time for group and individual projects and for participants to develop their ‘business model canvas’ (1 page business plan), which they will present on the final day of the programme.

Participants will also work on their own leadership and management styles and improve their communication skills. Workshops will also include; financial planning & funding models; marketing; opportunity recognition, corporate governance, business planning and project management. In addition, the programme invites guest speakers from non-agri related industries to talk about innovation in their sectors – a dinner and panel discussion will take place half way through the programme to encourage lively debate and the building of a new network of contacts and friends.

The Farm Entrepreneurship and Leadership Programe is accredited through FETAC at Level 6. The programme intake is 20 people max and starts on June 4th in the Ryan Academy in Citywest Business Campus. For more information log onto: www.ryanacademy.ie or call Niamh (01) 7006762.