Countryside and Economy Adviser
7:30
am
It's summer again and that means the hay seed project. Drive up to the farm where
the seed is stored and pull the tarpaulin containing seed and hay out into the blazing sun to dry. Rake the hay off and turn the seed, leave it to dry and gave the sky my sternest look (don’t you dare
rain).
9:00 am
Arrive at the office and make appointment to
visit a farm to discuss making an application for the Environmental Stewardship Scheme. Ring a farmer who wants advice on drystone walling grants and a smallholder who wants advice on how
best to manage their hedgerows for wildlife. Time for a quick coffee and a read of the Farmers Weekly (always pays to keep up on the latest farm
news). Set off for farm visit.
11:00 am 
Arrive
at the farm (the sheep
dog seems intent on savaging my tyres for some reason) and sit down around the kitchen table with a
cup of tea and some home made cake to discuss the Environmental Stewardship Scheme. Put on my boots and have a walk around the fields with the farmer. There are some lovely flower rich
meadows, pastures and a nice area of woodland all suitable for management. He‘s also very proud of his herd of pure bred Herefords, and rightly so. We also look at an old barn that he wishes to renovate under the scheme, without grant aid it will soon
fall into ruin. Leave with the sheep dog once again attacking my car tyres (get down Shep!).
4:00
pm
Arrive back at the office and make notes about the farm and start the process for
a Stewardship application. Time to go back to the farm and get that hay seed back indoors as the clouds are looking angry.
What qualifications and experience do I need?
- Degree or similar qualification in a subject relevant to the post (or several years' directly relevant experience).
- Sound knowledge of environmental issues related to the conservation management of the countryside.
- Practical conservation work and rural skills.
- Knowledge of government departments, agencies and other relevant organisations and their work including grant schemes, financial and regulatory procedures.
