The Get Mentoring in Farming initiative is gathering pace in its work to support farmers and agri-business owners across the UK helping their businesses to thrive.

In a typical week more than half a dozen farm owners/managers (mentees) are registering their interest in the mentoring programme, which is managed by the SFEDI Group and supported by the Lloyds Banking Group, LANTRA, NFU, the Farming Community Network, Waitrose and the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs.

The initiative matches the expertise and background of highly experienced and trained mentors with the identified needs of farming businesses looking to expand or diversify. “Its a’ top down, bottom up’ approach that works,” says Programme Manager Phil Bramhall.

“Our ultimate aim along with our partner organisations, is to get an increasing number of farmers to recognise the value of mentoring and for it to become a ‘done thing’ in the sector. The benefits of having a mentor are clear, 70% of small business owners that receive mentoring survive for five years or more. That’s double the rate of non-mentored entrepreneurs. Mentors working in the farming sector make a similar, significant impact for farmers.”

Case studies are starting to come through from the farming sector. These are demonstrating the effectiveness of the relationship between mentee and mentor. Here’s just one example from Matthew Wainwright, Dairy Farmer:

“I was unsure about mentoring and what it would involve. I was worried my mentor might be a competitor or a neighbour which just wouldn’t have worked but my contact at Get Mentoring in Farming pacified my concerns and explained the process including what to expect from mentoring. Tim, my mentor, isn’t a dairy farmer which I had initially thought was important but he has been amazing and helped me to take a step back and reflect on what I’m doing in the business. It’s great to get an outsider’s viewpoint and I’m sure with Tim’s support I can really start to move my business forward over the next 12 months”

The Future of Farming Review (2013) highlighted the role played by mentoring in developing business and management skills in the sector, for both those new to agriculture and those who are more experienced but who still face challenges in a fast-changing industry. The impact of the flooding in some areas of the country has shown how important it is that people working in the farming sector support one another and the programme aims to encourage that. Phil carried on by saying:

“Farm owners have the opportunity to sign up to the programme and bag themselves a mentor for free. We are looking for mentees who will benefit from the experience of working with a mentor in areas covering business growth, diversification, reducing costs, improving performance and using new technology. Learning from the expertise offered and building a trusting confidential relationship could prove the difference between a business succeeding or failing. A mentor can be a fantastic source of support and guidance and 200 industry experts have now received mentor training. A mentor is someone who has been there and done it themselves. We are delighted that so many people working in the sector have already agreed to commit their support for the initiative. We are now looking for more mentees to come forward, which is why we are taking to the road again.”

The Get Mentoring in Farming team will be exhibiting at the Fertile Minds conference in Penrith on 27th November 2014. The conference is being organised by Farmers Weekly.

If you think a mentor would be beneficial to you, or you would like to find out more about the initiative, please visit the website www.getmentoringinfarming.org.uk