Farm Advisor and Regenerative Agriculture Partner Development

• Sep 2021 - Present

FWAG South West acts to promote and enhance the conservation of wildlife, the environment and the landscape in relation to modern agriculture needs. My role is diverse including individual farm advice, policy and research, partner development and facilitation and coordination. Farm advice around whole farm planning, diversification and transition towards regenerative systems. Innovative Farmers Field Lab Coordinator and Soil researcher: https://innovativefarmers.org/field-lab?id=0ce6c404-fbdc-ec11-81a1-005056ad0bd4UK Farm Soil Carbon Code: https://sustainablesoils.org/soil-carbon-code

EU Business Clusters Project - Curriculum Development Manager and Agricultural Lecturer

• Nov 2020 - Sep 2021

Dairy Farming

• Jun 2020 - Sep 2020

Research and Development Manager and Key Accounts

• Aug 2019 - Feb 2020

Research and Development; including microbiology trials, new products for biological cropping, and pest control, soil health and soil microbiology diversity projects,Key Account Management and CRMAgronomy and Environmental Consultancy - including Great Barrier Reef Best Management Practices.Business Development including integration of existing database of Optimal Levels and Plant Nutrient uptake efficiencies at various crop growth stages with geo-spatial platforms. PR and Marketing - social media, Rural Business News etc.

Consultant

• Jun 2018 - Apr 2019

Built a business plan for a commercial seedling nursery on farm. Finance was obtained and the nursery was implemented successfully. We now supply 200 000 seedlings per month, with a focus on brassicas. The on farm nursery will result in a saving of 30% after paying back the initial capital outlay which should be complete within 6 months (dependant on input cost variability in the Zimbabwean economy). In addition I am consulting on both Bally Vaughn and Frescati to obtain Global GAP accreditation to enable production of export crops to Europe. We aim to have a successful audit in May 2019. Focus crops include granadilla, mange tout and sugar snap peas and peppers.

Consultant

• Jan 2018 - Jun 2018

Consulting on the development of an avocado tree nursery for independent investors. This included travelling to Israel and developing relationships with a commercial nursery there as well as an export company we hoped to supply in the long term. Development of protocols for seed collection, processing and recording. Team training to collect seed in Honde Valley. Implementation of seed collection including logistics, management of finance to pay remote communities for their avocado fruit, remote team support and communications with key players in the area. Development of protocols for nursery. Development of basic business plan detailing investment opportunity for additional investment.Successfully collected, processed and stored 68 000 seeds using small team of 4 people in a remote area of Zimbabwe. Each tree was GPS located, marked and recorded for testing to ensure viroid free stock obtained.

Landscape and Permaculture Consultant

• Apr 2015 - Feb 2018

Landscape consulting to private and corporate clientsLandscape design and implementation, project management. Planting design and implementation.Permaculture and conservation gardening consultantFreelance writer for the Zimbabwean Gardener magazine - articles on Principles of Permaculture, and Climate Change in Zimbabwe - adaptation and mitigation strategies. Landscape consulting to private and corporate clientsLandscape design and implementation, project management. Planting design and implementation.Permaculture and conservation gardening consultantFreelance writer for the Zimbabwean Gardener magazine - articles on Principles of Permaculture, and Climate Change in Zimbabwe - adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Environmental Consultant

• Oct 2016 - Jan 2017

Research and investigation into a three tier project looking at cassava grown for extraction of bioethanol to be used as fuel for cook stoves to prevent the continued deforestation around urban centres in Zimbabwe. Liaising with potential investors and preparation of comprehensive financial model to secure funding, as well as building a costing model for production, processing and distribution. A key focus was on market creation, ensuring adoption of the stoves by the public utilising a local payment plan facility. Fieldwork and nutritional analysis of locally grown cassava, as well as farmer surveys resulted in a comprehensive financial model with various avenues to implementation of the entire three tier project.

Environmental Consultant

• Jun 2016 - Nov 2016

Conducting research into the viability of small scale tobacco farmers growing cassava that can be processed into bioethanol for curing their tobacco. The project hopes to enable farmers to grow their own free fuel, reduce deforestation as trees will no longer be cut down for curing, and also improve the quality of the crop due benefitting farmers through improved prices. Commercialisation strategy and implementation plan to follow. Conducting research into the viability of small scale tobacco farmers growing cassava that can be processed into bioethanol for curing their tobacco. The project hopes to enable farmers to grow their own free fuel, reduce deforestation as trees will no longer be cut down for curing, and also improve the quality of the crop due benefitting farmers through improved prices. Commercialisation strategy and implementation plan to follow.

Landscape Consultant

• Jun 2016 - Sep 2016

Landscape contracting at Matetsi River Lodge http://www.andbeyond.com/matetsi-private-game-reserve/Screening for privacy between lodgesSound barriers (artificial anthills)Transforming the recent building site to have a natural 'bush' aesthetic and feel. Landscape contracting at Matetsi River Lodge http://www.andbeyond.com/matetsi-private-game-reserve/Screening for privacy between lodgesSound barriers (artificial anthills)Transforming the recent building site to have a natural 'bush' aesthetic and feel.

Garden Centre Manager

• Jan 2016 - May 2016

Garden Centre Consultant - developing a new concept to Zimbabwe for a builders warehouse, bringing a unique garden and agricultural retail experience to the market.Supplier relationship management and product sourcing.Product Development to target the small scale farming community and commercial contractors, in addition to domestic gardeners. Sales analysis and price determination, analysis of sales figures and adjustment of margins and price lists. Achieved a US$21K gross profit in second month of trading from 225sqm floor space.Staff training and development, team building and leadership.

'Standard Haul' Demersal fish assemblage survey and Inshore fish survey - Volunteer

• Jul 2014 - Oct 2014

MBA sampling of the demersal fish assemblage in the English Channel near Plymouth started in 1911. This time series has continued with recent sampling of station L4 as part of the ‘Standard Haul’ time series using the RV Plymouth Quest, and repeat surveys of inshore sites (Bigbury Bay and Whitsand Bay) using MBA Sepia.Skills gained - Fish and benthos identification and sexing, boat experience, data collection and survey techniques. MBA sampling of the demersal fish assemblage in the English Channel near Plymouth started in 1911. This time series has continued with recent sampling of station L4 as part of the ‘Standard Haul’ time series using the RV Plymouth Quest, and repeat surveys of inshore sites (Bigbury Bay and Whitsand Bay) using MBA Sepia.Skills gained - Fish and benthos identification and sexing, boat experience, data collection and survey techniques.

Volunteer - Facilitator and Scribe

• May 2014 - Oct 2014

Volunteer - Facilitating and note taking for the Devon Maritime Forum at the Marine Management Organisation's (MMO) South Marine Plan events. These events are stakeholder engagement workshops that will shape and influence the South Marine Plan's vision and objectives.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/330602/South_Draft_Vision_and_Objectives.pdf Volunteer - Facilitating and note taking for the Devon Maritime Forum at the Marine Management Organisation's (MMO) South Marine Plan events. These events are stakeholder engagement workshops that will shape and influence the South Marine Plan's vision and objectives.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/330602/South_Draft_Vision_and_Objectives.pdf

MSc Applied Marine Science

• Sep 2013 - Sep 2014

Marine Planning and LegislationIntegrated Coastal Zone ManagementEconomics of the Marine EnvironmentCoastal Erosion and ProtectionGIS and Remote SensingMarine ChemistryNear Shore EcologyGeology, Geophysics and Physical Oceanography of Shelves and CoastsMatlab, ArcGIS, Surfer, Genesis longshore sediment transport simulationField WorkBoat work including Bathymetric Surveying, collecting water samples, CTD deployment, ADCP,Water sampling, Sonde probe on River Plym, collection of biological samples and lab analysis.Sea Safety Survival Training certification 24th March 2014MSc dissertation: INVESTIGATION INTO THE APPLICATION OF THE LISST-HOLO SUBMERSIBLE DIGITAL HOLOGRAPHIC CAMERA FOR IN SITU ZOOPLANKTON DATA COLLECTION.

Director

• Jan 2007 - Oct 2012

I ran a small but efficient gardening service, providing regular maintenance and soft landscaping to private and commercial clients. Safe Contractor accredited, we were a small but dynamic team of five, with a focus on delivering outstanding customer service. • Provided bespoke gardening and horticultural services to private and commercial clients• Managed client relationships to develop a long term, stable portfolio of contracts including the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.• Provided environmental consultation, promoting good horticultural practices.• Employee recruitment, management, performance reviews and mentorship.• Fleet Management and equipment maintenance.• Gained experience of working with business consultant to achieve company goals.• Excellent administrator with financial acumen that planned and acted with anorientation towards tasks, action and profitability, ensuring increased revenues andadherence to business plan.• Financial responsibilities: invoice raising, trade accounts, payroll, VAT etc.• Wrote a bespoke company Health and Safety Policy, achieved Safe Contractoraccreditation in 2011.• Created marketing material for website, and customer satisfaction surveys.• Delivered outstanding results to provide sustainable growth throughout therecession using a balance of commitment to service and interpersonal skills• Success was underpinned by establishing excellent rapport in all professionalrelationships, with commitment to every task.• Liaised and negotiated with suppliers and other contractors to provide detailedcostings, and then delivered services on time and to budget.