Horticultural growers are being sought to join the specialist advisory crop panels that support and shape the decisions made by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
The three-year tenures on the Horticulture Sector Board will start from January 2019, shortly after Hayley Campbell-Gibbons begins her new role as chairman.
The available positions cover all six sector panels, with specialisms sought in a range of crops including herbs, shrubs and culinary apples.
Martin Evans, Horticulture interim chairman and Field Vegetable Panel chairman, said: “The crop sector panels have an important role to help guide AHDB in tackling some of the critical issues affecting our industry.”
To ensure new generations take up leadership roles, AHDB invests in schemes such as the two-year LSA Charitable Trust Fellowship, which aims to develop skills and industry knowledge for aspiring professionals.
New thinking needed
Evans said: “We need new thinking and new ideas to come in and make a positive change. The panels are the best way for AHDB to engage with the industry on what their priorities should be and how we can channel the levy monies to the greatest benefit for all growers.”
James Moffatt from James Coles & Sons Nurseries (pictured top), joined the Hardy Nursery Stock Panel in 2017.
He said: “I’ve been involved with the industry for over 20 years and in that time I have read many pieces of AHDB literature or gone to AHDB events which I have found useful.
“The last two years I’ve been involved with an AHDB project which was challenging and informative and thought it would be good to be more involved.
It’s good to know the challenges that face the industry and hopefully, I can have some input in trying to solve one or two of them.
Existing panel members can seek nomination for a second three-year term but no member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.
The deadline for applications is October 31, 2018, and can be made online.
