Appointment Boost for Local Farming & Forestry
Can Farmers and Foresters Collaborate Better?
Yes, Says BIFF! THE FUTURE for better integration between farming and forestry in the Breadalbane locality has taken a major leap forwards with the announcement of Chris(tine) Stark’s appointment as the Project Officer for the Breadalbane Initiative for Farm Forestry (BIFF).
At a recent Perth and Kinross Agricultural Forum meeting, Alex Murray who chairs the Breadalbane Rural Development Association introduced Chris to those attending the meeting and commented: “I am very pleased to be able to introduce Chris. Her credentials are impressive and I look forward to working with her to help raise the profile of BIFF, and to establish the vital links between farming and forestry that have been missing for so long”.
Chris (pictured here) brings with her over ten years of forestry experience that began in British Columbia, Canada. Her experience from home ranged from ‘hands on’ work to operational planning for commercial harvesting operations. Chris first came over to Scotland in 1998 on holiday and, following two years in Bhutan working as a forest management planner, decided to return to Scotland to complete an MSc in Forest Ecology at the University of Edinburgh. |
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Woodfuel & Products
She has since been involved in woodland management, designing detailed tree planting and management plans for small landowners and preparing Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme and Rural Stewardship applications. Chris also has a keen interest in the use of woodfuel and the promotion of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as mushrooms, berries and green tourism.
Of her new post she told Comment: “I feel extremely fortunate to be involved in the project. This is an exceptional opportunity for local communities to be involved in the changes that are now occurring throughout Scotland and Europe with regards to the integration of farming and forestry. I believe that the Breadalbane area is in an excellent position to be an exemplar of integrated practice and innovative ideas. ”
Exclusive Local Grant
BIFF will be exploring new ways to integrate farming and forestry through continued involvement in policy objectives, increased grant funding, new training opportunities and study tours, and through collaborative approaches between new and existing businesses. BIFF’s main objective is to provide additional economic, entrepreneurial and employment activities to support the local community, and thereby improve woodland management and maximise the under-utilised potential of farm forestry throughout the Breadalbane area.
A wide spectrum of opportunities lies in front of Chris and, despite the enormity of the task, she is keen to start getting her boots dirty. The Forestry Commission Scotland is assisting her by launching a new grant that is being piloted only in the Breadalbane area. The pilot grant, S10 Adding Value to Farm Woodlands, will run over the next two years and has a total of £100,000 grant aid available for local projects.
Anyone interested in this grant can contact Mike Strachan at the Forestry Commission in Perth on 01738 442830 or get in touch with Chris Stark, BIFF Project Officer (M): 07733 001257; email: chris.stark@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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