‘RURAL BUSINESS SCHOOL’ REACHES OUT

Posted 30 October 2001

HARPER ADAMS University College is reaching out even further into the countryside. As part of the region’s Rural Opportunities initiative, enhance learning facilities are being inaugurated at village outreach centres across the rural Marches area.

Speaking at the launch of new facilities at Lingen in Herefordshire, Stephen Parsons outlined the Harper Adams commitment to the future of people already living in the countryside and determined to remain there.

Singling out those who wish to explore the scope of self-employment, he likened the decision to a journey of discovery.

He emphasized the College’s wish to help enhance the skills required by people going it alone into business both through Rural Opportunities and through its work with the Marches Farm Enterprise Programme (MFEP).

Harper Adams offers help in preparing a sensible business plan through the MFEP web-site which is available to all those with access to a computer at work, at home or at an outreach centre such as Lingen.

Rural Opportunities has also arranged a series of regular mutual support events, where Harper Adams staff will be available in market towns throughout the Marches, such as at Craven Arms, Leominster and Tenbury Wells. These monthly meetings start in the New Year.

By reaching out ever more deeply into the countryside, Harper Adams is making its resources available to ever more people living and working there, thus fulfilling the College’s role as the Rural Business School.