The Landworkers’ Alliance is a union of farmers, growers, foresters and land-based workers.
cy Cymraeg
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If you have any comments, critiques, considerations, compliments, complaints, about anything the Landworkers Alliance is or isn’t up to, do let us know your thought. We love feedback, it keeps a system healthy. Please fill in this quick form.

Membership / Supporter / Donation Queries

Please contact Lauren.Simpson@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk

Requests for work, volunteering or internships

We are currently not recruiting for any roles but please read our newsletters for any announcements. We currently do not offer any volunteer or internship placements directly with the LWA, but keep an eye out in the newsletter or on the forum for any members looking for volunteers or workers.

Academic/Research Enquiries

Please look at the Agroecology Research Collaboration to see if it fits your area of research/work.

Membership Support / Advice

Currently the LWA does not have capacity or resources to help individual members or potential members on their specific projects, farms or programmes. We get a lot of requests for individual support and would love to have the time to respond to each request in full. We are fundraising for a new role for somebody to focus on membership support and services as we have identified it is a gap in our offering so please watch this space. Having said that, if your query is critical and urgent please email info@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk including the word URGENT in the subject header and it will get picked up and we can try our best to help.

Contacting Individual Staff

Please take the time to explore our staff page here to see who the most relevant contact for your enquiry is.

Our addresses format is firstname.lastname@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk

Please bear in mind we all work part time and have limited capacity to respond to enquiries outside our core areas of work.

You can also find information under the About Us header about branch and regional organising, and identity groups within the LWA membership.

Press/Media Enquiries:

For any queries relating to press please email press@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk

Merchandise/calendar Enquiries

For any enquiries to do with shop sales including the calendar please email merchandise@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk

To Include an Item in Our Newsletter:

You can fill in this quick form to submit it to be included in the next bulletin/newsletter. The deadline to submit is the end of Friday each week for the following week’s member bulletin. With the same form you can also submit to the monthly non-member newsletter which goes out in the first week of the month.

All Other Enquiries:

For any other enquiries that are URGENT please email info@staging.landworkersalliance.org.uk with the word ‘urgent’ in the subject header and we will do our best to help.

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Agroecological Pathways – Livestock & Dairy

A career in the Livestock and Dairy industry can involve rearing cows, goats, sheep, pigs and other farm animals for meat or dairy products.

A PDF version of this pathway is available.

Download Here

Getting Started

Getting Started

Volunteering

Volunteering is unpaid time working on a farm – this can take the form of regular volunteering days (weekly, monthly) or intensive periods from a few weeks to months

Experience needed: None

Qualifications needed: None

Skills needed: None

Qualifications gained: None

Pay/benefits attached: Many farms offer lunch and refreshments on the day of volunteering and longer term opportunities often offer food and/or accommodation in exchange for labour

Where does this lead me? After volunteering you will be eligible to go on to get further training, an accreditation or qualification, paid work as a Seasonal Worker or start your own business

Short term or ongoing volunteering opportunities

Volunteering can be useful to you if you have the time and resources to support yourself whilst taking on an unpaid opportunity. 

It is a very open and flexible way of gaining skills as you can choose how often you attend volunteering sessions. Many farms across Wales, Scotland & England offer volunteering days on a weekly or monthly basis while some offer longer-term opportunities.

Volunteering is a great way to:

  • Gain hands-on experience 
  • Network with people with similar interests
  • Get a feel for the different areas of the Livestock and Dairy industry
  • Build confidence on the land and with animals
  • Develop a relationship to Nature
  • Gain skills in things such as rearing animals, milking, processing dairy products and other tasks relevant to jobs and further opportunities in the Livestock and Dairy industry

Longer term volunteering opportunities 

Longer term opportunities are more intensive ways to gain access to skills and experience on the land. They usually require a set amount of time commitment to living and working on a project (usually from a week upwards) and work on the basis of a work exchange i.e. your time and labour exchanged for on-farm accommodation and/or food. This minimises your outgoings during this period. 

Longer term opportunities can be great for anyone with the resources to support themselves during this time and offer:

  • An intensive understanding of running a farm business
  • A high level of responsibility in a short time
  • Access to a large variety of tasks 
  • An immersive experience of living and working on ta farm
  • Opportunity to learn the daily skills involved with running a dairy or livestock farm

Sources of support 

We recognise that starting work on the land with animals can be a daunting prospect for those who have had little access to nature and outdoor spaces previously and that many do not have the time and resources available to engage in unpaid opportunities. 

Organisations like the Landworkers’ Alliance, support members who are often marginalised in landwork and have unequal access to opportunities. Members organise a  LGBTQIA+ working group (called Out On The Land), a BPOC (Black and People of Colour) working group (called REAL) and a youth arm (called FLAME). 

LION or Land In Our Names are a Black-led collective who also work to support those looking to get into landwork but are unable to access traditional routes. 

Ubele also offers sources of support and empowerment for Black and Minoritised communities in the UK. 

Shared Assets work to reimagine what we can do with land and support communities to gain access.

Short-term or ongoing volunteering opportunities

Many farms around the UK practising agroecology, calf at foot or regenerative practices will offer volunteer days on a weekly or monthly basis. We have outlined some information on how to gain access to these volunteering opportunities below.

Long-term volunteering opportunities

  • If you are looking for more intensive, longer term volunteering opportunities, WWOOFing (see WWOOF UK) is a very common entry point for those working in agroecology. Hosts across the UK and around the world usually offer you accommodation and food in return for your labour. Placements range from 1 week to a few months depending on the project. Check out the website to find projects that suit you.
  • HelpX is another site offering longer term volunteering opportunities in many areas of agriculture

Getting Started

Training

Training opportunities in agroecological or regenerative livestock and dairy farming and processing mainly consist of undertaking non-accredited courses offered via distance learning, classroom learning or a mix of on-farm and off-farm learning.

Traineeships, internships and informal apprenticeships on agroecological or regenerative farms are still an underdeveloped entry route for this industry and so are rare to come by. Training opportunities in the more conventional dairy and livestock industry do exist more readily and so any skills learnt in this way can be transferred to the agroecological sector.

Experience needed: Most courses and training opportunities have no prerequisites however others do require an entry level of practical experience in dairy or livestock farming (see the ‘Volunteering’ section to find out about opportunities).

Qualifications needed: Training opportunities will vary on entry requirements, most do not require a qualification as these training opportunities are not accredited.

Skills needed: Some may require a basic level of skill in the day to day activities of working on a dairy or livestock farm. A commitment to learning as well as good organisational and work management capabilities and the ability to work well alone and in a team.

Qualifications gained: Many opportunities will offer a certificate on completion of your course or training opportunity but be aware that these certificates are not formally accredited certificates and are simply an acknowledgement of your training (please see the next section ‘Qualifications and Accreditations’ for more details on formally accredited learning).

Pay/benefits attached: Some traineeships are paid or offer a small stipend as well as on-farm accommodation.

Where does this lead me? After completing a course or other training opportunity you can go on to undertake further training, gain a qualification or formal accreditation or get paid work as a Seasonal Farm Worker, Herdsperson or Stockperson and possibly a Flock Manager, Head Shepherd, Head Stockperson, Herd Manager or Farm Manager. Many also go on to start their own dairy or livestock businesses.  

 
Non-accredited courses 

Accessing training via non-accredited courses allows you to:

  • Gain relevant skills at any stage of your career in agroecology and regenerative livestock or dairy
  • Access valuable expertise 
  • Engage in a focused learning environment
  • Meet like minded people 
  • Gain access to useful skills 
  • Access in-depth knowledge relevant to dairy and livestock farming and product processing such as soil health, regenerative grazing practices, high welfare requirements, butchery, cheese making and more.

On-farm traineeships 

Skills learnt on these traineeships can be useful to:

  • Level up your volunteering experience 
  • Gain valuable skills and knowledge in the industry
  • Live (in some cases) and learn on a successful business 
  • Take on many of the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities 
  • Learn the practical aspects of running a successful farm business 
  • Gain understanding in the processing opportunities and routes to market
  • Understand and gain experience in the diversity of tasks involved in rearing different livestock animals

Navigating these spaces, funding and sources of support

Traineeships, internships and informal apprenticeships on farms are not accredited and so the type of training provided will vary from farm to farm. Make sure to do your research into the farm to make sure it is the right opportunity for you. You could even ask the farm to speak to previous trainees about their experiences and what to expect. 

It is acknowledged that accessing these types of training opportunities, particularly in more conventional farming spaces, can be daunting and difficult, especially if you are from a non-farming background or part of a Minoritised community. Organisations like the LWA, LION and Ubele work to break down these barriers for new entrants, particularly those less represented in land based work. Reach out to these organisations and join many new entrants like you who experience barriers in entering land based industries in the UK.

Many courses offer funding or a sliding scale so what you pay reflects your income bracket. If they do not then make sure to email the course leader to find out about funding opportunities. 

Non-accredited on-farm training opportunities (agroecology/regenerative)

Traineeships, Internships and informal apprenticeships in agroecology or regenerative livestock and dairy farming are still an underdeveloped entry route for this industry and so opportunities are rare, but there are some ways to keep your ear to the ground about any opportunities that may arise.

  • Nature Way Farm offers internships in regenerative livestock practices
  • Henbant (Wales) offer training opportunities and internships
  • The Calf at foot dairy is planning to provide teaching, cow handling sessions, workshops and dairy hygiene training.
  • Go to your local farmers market and speak to farmers selling meat or dairy products directly to find out about any training opportunities they offer – this is a great way to meet like minded people in your area and express your interest to learn locally
  • Search online by typing in keywords such as your location followed by ‘agroecology’ or ‘regenerative’, ‘dairy or livestock farms’,‘training’. Take a look at websites or social media accounts that come up because farms will often advertise any available opportunities via these channels. You could also email or direct message them to express your interest if it is not clear from your online search. 
  • Signing up to local facebook groups will often point you in the direction of local farms practising agroecology – the Landworkers’ Alliance has regional Facebook groups linked here: South West England, North West England, South East England, East Anglia, Cymru/Wales, Midlands 
  • ThisRegenerative Farming UK Facebook group is a great place to chat to farmers and learn about their training or volunteering opportunities 
  • The Cow-Calf Dairies website has a directory of calf at food dairies around the UK so you could contact any farms in your area!
  • Keeping Cow with Calf also offers a directory for Scottish calf at foot dairies you could reach out to to express your interest
  • You can also sign up to the newsletters or visit the website of organisations such as the Landworkers’ Alliance, CSA Network, Permaculture Association, Soil Association, Social Farms and Gardens, PFLA and the Nature Friendly Farming Network to get signposted to their members opportunities around the UK
  • Social Farms and Gardens have a directory of their members across the UK who may also be good to contact
  • Farms offering work exchanges on websites like WWOOF UK or HelpX may also be able to offer longer term training opportunities 
  • Farmstart is a fantastic training opportunity for you if you are considering starting your own farm business. You are given a piece of land attached to a larger farm business as a part of this incubator programme to allow you to kick start your own farm business whilst getting support and training in the first 1-2 years of your business. 
  • Roots to Work is also a great place to look for traineeship opportunities around the UK especially in processing areas such as cheese making or butchery
  • Mentoring is also a valuable tool for knowledge transference and training in this sector. The Landworkers’ Alliance offers mentoring opportunities which will be made available to members. You could also reach out to farmers or landworkers in your area to ask if they would be willing to teach you the specific skills and/or knowledge you are looking for. There are many exchange programmes and networks that operate around the UK. 

Non-accredited on-farm training opportunities (conventional)

It is possible to find on-farm training opportunities in the conventional livestock and dairy industry and transfer this knowledge over to the agroecological and regenerative sector. 

Non-accredited agroecology, regenerative and processing courses (livestock and dairy)

Non-accredited agroecology and regenerative courses (not livestock or dairy specific)

Getting Started

Qualifications and Accreditations

Gaining a qualification or accredited certificate in livestock farming and/or dairy production via online or in-person training on courses or accredited apprenticeships

Experience needed: Some courses and apprenticeships may require previous experience on a dairy or livestock farm

Qualifications needed: Accredited courses usually require a minimum of a GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English (or Welsh if learning in Cymru)

Skills needed: A good level of written and spoken English or Welsh (depending on where you take your course), ability to lead self study, capacity to undertake coursework as well as carry out practical tasks and a good level of organisational skill 

Qualifications gained: This will range from college level certificates to undergraduate and postgraduate university degrees

Pay/benefits attached: Accredited training will be provided at a nationalised standard and quality and will be internationally recognised

Where does this lead me? After gaining an accreditation or qualification you are able to pursue opportunities in further training and accreditations at a higher level, paid work as a Seasonal Worker, Herdsperson, Stockperson, Flock Manager, Head Shepherd, Head Stockperson, Herd Manager or Farm Manager and start your own business 

 
Accreditations and qualifications can:

  • Validate your commitment to livestock and dairy farming and building a career or business in this sector 
  • Certify a certain level of knowledge, skill and experience
  • Level up your skills 
  • Offer invaluable, in-depth insight and expertise into specific elements of meat and dairy production, processing, agroecology or running a land based business
  • Give you the opportunity to meet people in the industry

Accredited courses

Undertaking an accreditation or qualification can be time and money intensive and so each course should be considered carefully and weighed up against the other opportunities available to you. 

Is it going to teach you what you want to learn? Is there a way you can learn practical skills alongside your course if it doesn’t offer this opportunity? Is this the best way to learn the skills you need? Are there any grant or funding opportunities available to you? 

Accredited apprenticeships

Accredited apprenticeships are a great way of learning and getting hands-on experience whilst being paid, however formalised, accredited apprenticeships in this industry operate only in the conventional livestock and dairy sector. However these skills and the knowledge learnt will be transferable to the agroecological and regenerative sector.

Funding, access and sources of support 

It is important to note that conventional agricultural spaces that offer on-farm apprenticeships can feel quite overwhelming if you are not familiar with this industry or from a farming background. Reaching out within the LWA, who support identity-based organising can be hugely beneficial. They have an LGBTQIA+ working group (called Out On The Land), a BPOC (Black and People of Colour) working group (called REAL), as well as a youth arm called FLAME). 

LION or Land In Our Names are a black-led collective who also work to support those looking to get into agroecology but are unable to access traditional routes. 

Ubele also offers sources of support and empowerment for Black and Minoritised communities in the UK. 

Many education centres will offer support in finding funding for your course.

College level accredited courses (regenerative/agroecology)

Higher level accredited courses (regenerative/agroecology)

Accredited apprenticeships and courses (conventional pathways)

Finding work

Finding Work

Working

Working on an already established livestock or dairy farm in exchange for money

Experience needed: A reasonable level of knowledge and experience in livestock or dairy farming which ensures appropriate standards of animal welfare and mitigating and identifying illness (usually gained via ongoing or long term volunteering, accreditations or qualifications)

Qualifications needed: Not all jobs in the livestock and dairy industry will expect an accreditation or qualification, however it is a benefit to have one 

Skills needed: Ability to carry out heavy lifting and intensive practical tasks around the farm, capacity to use initiative and take the lead on tasks, an ability to work within a team as well as alone, ability to manage competing workstreams, good organisational skills and knowledge of all day to day running activities of a farm including relevant tool and machinery usage, knowledge of animal husbandry and how to deal with certain illnesses or spot signs of disease

Qualifications gained: None 

Pay/benefits attached: The national minimum wage or more

Where does this lead me? Paid work can lead to further training and mentoring opportunities as you progress your livestock or dairy farming knowledge in agroecology. From here many will go on to start their own businesses or become Herd, Flock or Farm Managers.  Possible sideways moves into other sectors/adjacent careers are also available, for example campaigning, farm advisory positions, research, teaching, business development/support, policy and advocacy work, community engagement etc.

Finding paid work is a great way to: 

  • Put all of your previous skills and learnings to use
  • Gain access to many skills and responsibilities not otherwise available to you via volunteering or training
  • Gain experience in the industry
  • Learn from your wider team members and farm managers and glean experienced knowledge 
  • Deepen your understanding of the dairy and livestock industry
  • Give you the opportunity to develop your interests in certain areas of meat and dairy production 
  • Give you an in-depth understanding of how to run a farm business
  • Expand your knowledge and skills in the processing of raw meat and dairy products 

Whilst paid work is beneficial in many ways, finding relevant paid work is highly competitive and opportunities in the agroecological sector are few and far between.

Even if you cannot find a paid position on an agroecological farm, perhaps starting with a larger organic farm who may have more resources to support paid staff is a great place to start. This knowledge will be transferable to the agroecological and regenerative sector. 

Lambing seasons are also a great way to get your foot in the door and find introductory paid work. 

It is also the case that many livestock or dairy farms will keep on volunteers as paid staff when the opportunity arises. So being linked in to a farm or business near you is a great way of eventually finding paid work in the sector – have a look at the ‘Volunteering’ or ‘Training’ section of this pathway to start to find relevant farms.  

Accommodation 

Another thing to consider is that accommodation on the farm or close to your place of work (particularly in rural areas) can be a challenging find and especially on a relatively low wage. If you don’t already live in the area of your new work position, make sure to speak to your manager to find out about accommodation opportunities either on the farm or nearby. Some farms will offer accommodation with the job for a reduction in your wage. However if they do not then be sure to check out local accommodation options before making the move as this can sometimes be a barrier to working, particularly in rural areas with limited options.

Jobs in the agroecological or regenerative sector

Jobs in the agroecological and regenerative sector are hard to come by and many opportunities will come via word of mouth, but it is worth looking into the links below and keeping your eye on these networks to find suitable positions when they come up:

Jobs in the more conventional dairy and livestock industry

Finding Work

Starting your own Business

Starting your own livestock or dairy farm

Experience needed: It is essential to have a good amount of on-farm practical knowledge and experience with rearing animals before starting your own business, usually gained via  volunteering, training and apprenticeships, paid work, accreditations or qualifications

Qualifications needed: No qualifications are needed but they will be advantageous to your level of skill and knowledge 

Skills needed: An understanding of how to run a business and of UK business requirements e.g tax, health and safety certificates, insurance etc., entrepreneurial thinking and operating, a high level of flexibility and adaptability, ability to manage customers and volunteers, basic accountancy, ability to carry out heavy lifting and intensive, repetitive practical tasks, capacity to use initiative and take the lead on tasks, ability to manage people and work within a team as well as alone, ability to manage competing workstreams, good organisational skills and knowledge of all day to day running activities of a dairy or livestock farm including tool and machinery usage, marketing or promotional skills or willingness to learn, the ability to mitigate and/or identify illness in your animals and a good level of knowledge of high animal welfare standards

Qualifications gained: None

Pay/benefits attached: You will be in charge of your profit margins and therefore your own wage

Where does this lead me? Starting and establishing a business can open up a world of opportunity into: 

  • Many areas of agroecological or regenerative livestock and dairy farming
  • A variety of processing possibilities from the raw product to cheese, yoghurt, butter, dried meats, charcuterie, fermented products and much more!
  • Expansion and diversification into other industry sectors and land based practices such as horticulture, poultry, arable, forestry and woodland management, conservation, rewilding and more 
  • Community/social based enterprise structures and land management models
  • Carrying out specific agroecological or regenerative  on-farm training via courses 
  • Participating in knowledge exchange networks with other similar businesses for local or national support 
  • Expanding your career into creative media, policy, advocacy, campaigning, teaching, farm advisory services and other supportive work streams that share the stories and knowledge you have gained from running your own business 
  • Joining land based networks, unions and movements that advocate for better land working and animal welfare conditions
  • Linking in with networks and alliances that want to do research into agroecological livestock and dairy farming
  • Experimenting with not-yet-trialed practices and ideas that increase farm biodiversity and community wellbeing
  • As the agroecological livestock and dairy sector is a growing sector, you could play a key role in developing networks, skill and knowledge sharing, training, mentorship and other opportunities which will allow for others to enter into the industry 

Setting up your own agroecological business offers you the opportunity to:

  • Put all of your skills, knowledge and expertise into practice
  • Have a positive impact on the land and community around you
  • Help build the food sovereignty and agroecology movement in the UK
  • Learn whilst you work
  • Deepen your relationship to the land
  • Experiment, play with and explore agroecological and regenerative practices
  • Offer your community healthy, nutritious food
  • Support others to get into the industry
  • Add an experienced voice to wider social and political conversations around our food and farming systems in the UK
  • Build on an area of agroecological livestock and dairy farming research that is in need of development

Seeking Business Support

Before you embark on setting up your business, reaching out to business support schemes is a great place to start, as they can offer you advice and support in writing a business plan, choosing a business and land model, finding land, funding and routes to market, planning promotional and marketing activities and generally offering guidance in all aspects of your business idea to ensure your business is viable. 

Community / Shared Business and Land Models

The task of setting up alone and getting your business off the ground can be long, arduous and lonely, so sharing this responsibility and passion with others is often the best way to start a successful business. There are many business and land models you can choose from such as partnerships, community interest companies, stacked enterprises, leasing land and share farming. Finding the right one for you from the beginning is important as it will be directly related to the success of your business. 

Accommodation

Another thing to consider is that accommodation on the farm or land plot (particularly in rural areas) can be a challenging find and especially on a relatively low wage. Organisations like the Landworkers’ Alliance and the Ecological Land Cooperative campaign for access to affordable, location appropriate housing in landwork.

New entrants experience a multitude of barriers in setting up their own land based business, however there is an increasing amount of resources and support out there for you should you be looking at taking this next step in your career in agroecology.

Land and Finance

Business Support

  • Business start up support is available from all governments in the UK and so is a good place to start: Wales, Scotland, England
  • Pasture for Life  is very useful for small to large livestock farms and dairies as they offer farm visits, online talks, open days and many more resources to support you and your business in regenerative farming
  • Farming Connect (Wales) can help with access to land, business advice, progression support and mentorships. They also have grants available to help you learn in your sector once you have an established business. On top of this they help to facilitate some interesting match-making services for joint ventures. In particular they have a Venture Handbook which is a useful starting point for those considering a joint venture, much of which is relevant for those outside Wales too.
  • Tenant Farmers Association (UK) has a lot of support for tenant farmers leasing land
  • Tyfu Cymru is a good place to look for resources to help with your business if you’re based in Wales
  • The Landworkers’ Alliance offers and facilitates business support which can be found here.
  • The Scottish government is working towards farming Opportunities for New Entrants (Scotland)
  • The Farm Advisory Service also offers support via a New Entrant Programme (Scotland)
  • The Landworkers’ Alliance has done a lot of work on agroecological business planning – Agroecological business planning guide – and direct sales and short supply chains – Direct sales and short supply chains 
  • Skillshare offers a free one month trial during which you can learn about marketing, social media, video editing and many more digital skills that will help with the success of your business  
  • The Food Centre in Wales offers funded time with a food tech to develop a recipe or process, they will also walk you through business plans and offer guidance in the best products for your business and routes to market (Wales)
  • Whole Health Agriculture are a great resource for high welfare, regenerative practices and career progression in the livestock and dairy industry and they offer classes, courses, online farm visits and much more.
  • Agricology has a lot of free resources for livestock and dairy farmers
  • This Regenerative Farming UK Facebook group is a great place to chat to farmers and exchange knowledge and business support
  • This farming forum is also a great place to talk to other farmers and get business support from others in the industry
  • Join farmers running their own on farm trials and expand your knowledge and practice and contribute to research in your area
  • BASE-UK is a farmer led knowledge exchange organisation for regenerative practices
  • The 3LM Network offer regenerative pathways or farmers starting businesses
  • Neal’s Yard Dairy offer resources on becoming a cheesemaker professionally

Other Support

  • LION – Land in Our Names is a Black-led collective that works for land reparations and supports those from BPOC communities to begin working and living on the land, they have a whole host of resources and support available 
  • Ubele also offer support, advice and finance for BPOC communities setting up enterprises across the UK
  • Organisations like the Landworkers’ Alliance, support members who are often marginalised in landwork and have unequal access to opportunities. Members organise a  LGBTQIA+ working group (called Out On The Land), a BPOC (Black and People of Colour) working group (called REAL) and a youth arm (called FLAME). 
  • Also see the ‘Further Resources’ section of this pathway for other links to support and resources that you may find helpful when setting up your own arable business
Progress

Progressing

Business & Career Progression

Business & career progression is for those seeking to expand, diversify or build on their existing career or business

Experience needed: A paid working or equivalent level of knowledge and experience is necessary to access some further training opportunities and certain types of business support. 

Qualifications needed: If you are looking at progressing your skills and knowledge in the way of getting an accreditation then the minimum level of qualifications needed are usually a GCSE or equivalent in English (or Welsh if studying in Cymru) and Maths. But entry requirements will vary depending on the level of accredited training you are seeking (see ‘Accreditations and Qualifications’ section of this pathway). 

Skills needed: A paid working or equivalent level of skill is required for accessing advanced progression opportunities 

Qualifications gained: If you choose to progress by gaining an accreditation or qualification then you are able to gain a certificates from a Foundation level to Postgraduate Masters or PhD

Pay/benefits attached: Progression, expansion and diversification can lead to higher level job opportunities which usually equate to increased wages or increased business profits. You will also be gaining more knowledge and skills to practically apply agroecology.

Where does this lead me? Whether you are progressing your career in agroecology into a managerial position, expanding or diversifying your agroecological business or progressing your current business into agroecology, then this can lead to a diversity of outcomes:

  • Advancements in your experience, knowledge and expertise, business offerings, level of responsibility, financial incentives, skill set and support for biodiversity and community wellbeing 
  • Expansion into other sectors in the wider social and political spheres of your work including creative media, policy, advocacy, campaigning, education and other supportive work streams that share the stories and knowledge you have gained from running your own business or working on the land. 

Progressing your career

If you are currently working in a paid role on a dairy or livestock farm and/or processing these products, expanding your knowledge and skill set in agroecology and small batch products can be a great way to:

  • Progress in your career
  • Learn new skills
  • Develop processing techniques and products from the dairy and livestock industry
  • Meet and network with like minded people working in similar areas to you 
  • Gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to manage/work the land in line with agroecological principles
  • Access a higher level of responsibility at work 
  • Increase your ability to apply for more senior roles as you will have a wider environmental and sustainable application in a time of changing agricultural policy in the UK
  • Access information, knowledge, skills and expertise relevant to starting your own business (please also refer to the ‘Starting your own business’ section of this pathway)

Progressing your business

If you already own an dairy or livestock business then expanding and diversifying your agroecological knowledge, practice and processing techniques is a great way to:

  • Ensure adaptability in changing markets 
  • Access more routes to market
  • Advance your skills, knowledge and expertise in agroecology
  • Advance your access to a consumer market that is more climate and community conscious than ever before
  • Grow your profits
  • Grow your social and community impact
  • Grow the biodiversity on your land
  • Safeguard for future generations
  • Mitigate the detrimental impacts from factory farming

Progression, expansion and diversification can be costly and time consuming so you need to ensure you are at the right stage in your career or business where taking on further training or business development opportunities will be beneficial and not lead to burn out. Running a business and working on the land is hard work and so consider whether this is the right time for you before embarking on something new. Many progression opportunities are available on an ongoing basis and so you will be able to find something you are looking for when you are ready.

Many of the resources available in each section of this interactive pathway will be relevant to your progression needs, for example in accessing further training routes, courses, accreditations and qualifications as well as business support, so please refer to each of these sections to find out more detail about the progression opportunities available to you. 

Career and Business Progression 

Business Progression

Resources

Further Resources

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