Growing Rural Enterprise

07/10/2026

06/10/2026

05/10/2026

SUPPORT FOR STAFFORDSHIRE’S RURAL BUSINESSES

Do you run a rural business or are you thinking about starting one?

Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce are hosting a free Rural Business Pop-up Hub next month.

You’ll be able to get practical advice on:

• Growing your business
• Accessing funding
• Developing skills
• Environmental support
• Finding the right specialist advice

Representatives from Keele University, the Growth Hub, Skills Hub, Staffordshire Business and Environment Network and Staffordshire Jobs and Careers will all be there.

Our rural economy is a major strength for Staffordshire. We want to help more of these businesses start, grow and create local jobs.

📅 Tuesday 13 October
⏰ 10am–12.30pm
📍 Keele Hall, Keele University
🎟️ Free to attend

If you’re already running a rural business or have an idea you would like to develop, come along and find out what support is available.

25/09/2026

FCN volunteers, who understand farming and farming life, are on the end of the phone to support you from 7am until 11pm for 365 days of the year.

They will listen in confidence, and without judgement, whatever the issue.

Call 03000 111 999.

We also have an e-helpline: [email protected]

💚

25/09/2026

We've been asked to share this event which is being put on by Derbyshire Community Health Services at Bakewell Agricultural Centre on 26th Oct (9am-1pm).

For more information, please contact Karen Allen directly: [email protected] or [email protected] (The DRC are unable to answer any queries or comments related to this event).

25/09/2026

Kick start your rural admin career in 2027 with Course 1 - Farm Office Administration.

The foundation to the IAgSA Training Programme to establish you as a rural business administrator - bookings now live for the 5th February 2027

https://iagsa.co.uk/events/course-1-farm-office-administration-20

22/09/2026

Calling all Derbyshire farmers and farm workers! 🚜

Our rural health team will be at Bakewell Agricultural & Business Centre for our free health MOT day on Monday 26 October.

Drop-in and get health free checks, including blood pressure and cholesterol, and chat with professionals about everything from mental health to cancer awareness.

Find more info here: https://ow.ly/ah2p50YWCRm

Samaritans Live Life Better Derbyshire Addington Fund Your Sexual Health Matters Mentell

18/09/2026

✨Yesterday, Maria received her Master’s and Olly an Honorary Doctorate at Harper Adams! 🥳

👇 keep reading 🙏

There were many, many speeches, filled with life hacks for the new graduates…
👉 “Go and save the world.”
👉 “Go and make lots of money.”
👉 “Debt is a great motivator.”
👉 “Be yourself.”

But, the best life lesson came from Oliver Harrison OllyBlogs

His unscripted heartfelt speech had the thousand people in the room asking each other, “How are you?” Olly went on to tell the story of his mate David — the guy he grew up with, the one down the road who had the nice combines. The mate everyone looked up to, everyone thought was alright… until he wasn’t. 😭

As Olly emotionally recounted the unexpected loss of his mate David, you could see just how much it still meant to him.
And then he asked a really simple question: Why do we say we’re OK when we’re not? Why have we created a culture where someone asks, “How are you?” and we automatically reply: “Yeah, great thanks. You?”

Olly’s suggestion was brilliant. ANSWER WITH A %....... If life feels like a bag of spanners or a dog’s dinner, don’t say “I’m great.” Say, “I’m about 60% today.”

Because you’ve opened the door for the person who asked to say: “Why? What’s up, mate?” And maybe that’s all it takes.
So next time someone asks “How are you?”, think of Olly, think of his mate David, and maybe answer with a percentage.

The thousand in that room yesterday who's heartstrings you twanged will be doing exactly that - and hopefully sharing with their mates.

And Olly — that speech is why you absolutely deserve your Honorary Doctorate. ❤️

17/09/2026

Farm Resilience Programme: Biodiversity on Your Farm
Wednesday 23rd September

Join us for an informative and enjoyable farm walk exploring all things biodiversity on farms in the Peak District.

Led by Chloe Palmer, we'll be discussing:

*Learn about the habitats and species that can thrive within an extensive farming system.
*Share ideas and practical approaches for supporting declining species on farms.
*Discuss how grazing management can increase species diversity while maintaining productive farming systems.
*Explore how climate change is affecting natural ecosystems and what farmers can do to help make their farms and wildlife more resilient.

📅 Wednesday 23rd September
🕞 3.30pm
📍 Bradford Dale, Rheinstor Cottage, Alport, DE45 1LG

Kindly hosted by Charlotte Gilbert and family.

Supper provided
FREE to attend

Bookings are essential, to book contact Tony at [email protected]
We'd love to see you there!