The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) will deliver an exciting new programme for individuals who demonstrate leadership potential and have never attended the world-renowned event.
The OFC Inspire Programme will offer fully funded grants to 18 individuals to attend the Oxford Farming Conference from 5th to 7th January 2022, including accommodation and dinners.
Supported by the The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH), it will deliver a rich programme of networking, bringing together those who may not otherwise have been able to attend the event, and are at the start of their leadership journey or looking for their next challenge.
In addition to the event in Oxford, they will be required to attend a pre-conference away day from Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd December including dinner, a guest speaker, exclusive visit, networking session and overnight accommodation at The Farmers Club in London.
In order to apply, applicants must be between the age of 30 and 45, and actively involved in the rural, food and/or farming sector.
Emily Norton
OFC Director Emily Norton is leading the programme, “I was lucky enough to attend my first OFC through a job off-farm, but as the OFC Council, we are acutely aware that many future stars of our industry will not be in the same position. The Inspire Programme is intended to be one of the main routes through which we can tackle that.
“Anyone who has not been to OFC before and who would otherwise face barriers to attending is welcome to apply, simply by filling in the application form and demonstrating how they will benefit from taking part. We can’t wait to get the first OFC Inspire Programme cohort together.”
TIAH Chair, David Fursdon commented on the partnership: “When TIAH launches early next year, we will seek to develop professionalism and lifelong learning amongst people working in farming and growing across England. Our values are very closely aligned with those of the OFC Inspire Programme, in that our activities are built upon the ethos of professionalism and personal development, so we are very pleased to be lending our support to the programme and we wish the participants every success. ”
The OFC Inspire Programme replaces the charities previous initiative, Emerging Leaders and is open to anyone in the UK.
Applications close on Sunday 10th October 2021; applicants will be notified by Sunday 31st October 2021 if they have been successful.
To find out more or apply for the Inspire Programmme visit https://www.ofc.org.uk/blog/ofc-inspire-programme-2022
