GROWERS will gather in the shadow of the Royal Three Counties Showground next week to discuss agri-tech, funding and the challenges for horticulture in the months ahead.

Farmers from Herefordshire and the rest of the region are expected to attend the event at the Three Counties Showground which will be chaired by Ross-on-Wye grower Henry Chinn, the National Farmers' Union (NFU)'s regional horticulture and potatoes board chairman.

The business seminar, which takes place next Wednesday (11th), is called Maximising Growth Opportunities and will be held between 9am-2pm in Teme Hall and will feature a range of industry speakers.

“This year and next will see a significant number of new opportunities opening up that are specifically targeted towards business growth," said Mr Chinn.

“We are keen to ensure the horticultural sector gets an early opportunity to hear of these initiatives and for local growers to have time to think about how their business might benefit.

“The agenda is action packed with key representatives from a range of organisations chosen because they have something to offer the horticultural sector.

“Our government is keen to achieve business growth; we want to open up their national initiatives to local businesses.”

Suckley grower Ali Capper, who sits on the NFU national board, will talk about the union’s successes and challenges and about setting the growth agenda.

She said: “We are looking forward to hearing about the new funding programmes which are soon to come on stream and about how the growth accelerator and agri-tech business support initiatives might support local horticultural businesses," she said.

Other speakers include Paul Meakin from the Knowledge Transfer Network who will finish the morning session and will be followed by David Ledbury, from the Business Growth Service.

For further details contact Ruth Wall at the NFU regional office on 01952 400500.