enhancing leadership and management skills within agriculture and the land-based industries

Registered Charity No. 307301               

To this end, the Trust offers, through its Management Development Scheme, a unique Management Training opportunity to people engaged in farming and land-based industries in southern England.

The Trust finances and organises a biennial residential course covering all aspects of rural business management. For each course, applications for an Award are invited from people who are already established in their rural business careers, and normally twelve people are selected. No charge is made for this Course, but successful applicants are asked to support the work of the Trust in the future. The Trust has received no public funding for the Courses, but gratefully acknowledges ongoing practical support received from numerous individuals, institutions and commercial organisations. The course consists of a five-day November module at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, followed by two four-day case-study based modules in Hampshire in the following January and March.  The lead tutor for the Course is Professor John Alliston and he is assisted by colleagues from the RAC Cirencester and other lecturers drawn from other educational establishments and the professions.

At an Alumni Reunion

Over the past three decades more than 250 people have benefited from the Management Development Scheme, and they and other "Friends of John Edgar" are invited to attend a biennial conference, and other events and Courses organised by the Trust. In association with the Royal Agricultural College, the Trust aims to expand its programme of training and Continuing Professional Development. 

The Trustees are proud of the achievements of the Trust over nearly forty years, and believe that the organisation has moved to reflect the significant changes that have occurred within the rural sector over this period. Its scope has widened from purely agricultural businesses to encompass all aspects of land-based enterprise, and the wide range of experience of more recent Award applicants is evidence of this.

The greater demands placed on rural businesses in the 21st century, and the ever-increasing professionalism of the people involved results in greater demands on the resources of the Trust. Thanks to the success of the initial appeal and subsequent donations, the Trust has so far been able to finance its chosen activities. However, to meet the challenges of the future more money will be required. There is an on-going fund raising programme and ex-Award Holders in particular are encouraged to contribute by covenant.