Eight farmers and crofters from across the Highlands have completed the first ever Local Food Apprenticeship in the UK. The apprentices were awarded their certificates today (Wednesday 12 December) in a prize giving ceremony in the Black Isle.

Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Communities Scotland, the apprentices have completed a new, year long training programme specifically designed to enable farmers and crofters to make a business out of supplying fresh produce that is locally and sustainably grown.

The Local Food Apprentices come from all corners of the Highlands and Islands, including Inverness, Forres, Skye, Aviemore, Lewis, North West Sutherland and Caithness.

Tania MacKenzie, a Local Food Apprentice from Laide in Wester Ross said: "The apprenticeship has really helped me to get going. I was growing some veg and supplying it to my neighbours, but just as a hobby. Now, I have set up a box scheme with 25 customers and am growing a much larger area and range of food. It's now my full time work; it supports my family, and I am looking to expand the business next year"

This new route for existing farmers and crofters to become successful local food producers has attracted a lot of interest, both locally and from around the UK. In September this year, the apprentices received the 'Innovation Award' in the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards.

The apprentices have trained for the past year, with Highlands and Islands Local Food Network. Jo Hunt, Network Leader with Highlands and Islands Local Food Network said: "Consumers in all parts of the Highlands and Islands are looking for fresh and local food - but in many areas and for many products there is just not enough of it being grown at present. We were looking at how to address this, and came up with the apprenticeship approach.

"The apprentices are learning the trade from people already doing it, and cover both the technical skills needed to grow great food, and the business skills to make a living at it. Judging by the fact that 7 out of the 8 first apprentices have now set up growing and selling veg and fruit locally - it appears to be a success!"

The network has been using the combined experience of existing fruit and vegetable producers in the network, who are teaching the new growers, plus experts from the industry. Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for land based industries has also helped; assessing the apprentices, training existing farmers to be the instructors, and recognising the apprenticeship as a national award. Dr Gordon McGlone, Chairman of Lantra, flew north to present the apprentices with their certificates, at the Black Isle graduation ceremony today.

Dr McGlone said: "This is one of the most exciting developments in training for farmers and crofters that we have seen this year. The Local Food Apprenticeships are helping to increase the supply of local, fresh and healthy food. The course enables people to learn all the skills from ploughing and planting, to running a farm shop or box scheme - without having to leave their farm or croft.

"Lantra is proud to have been involved in such an innovative and successful project and I am delighted to award the apprentices with their industry-recognised certificates. We wish them well in running their new businesses and we hope to see local food apprenticeships become more widely available in future."

There are 18 spaces for new apprentices to train with the Highlands and Islands Local Food Network in 2008. The training is open to anyone permanently resident in Highlands and Islands, and interested in making their living from growing and selling fresh food. Details of the next apprenticeships are available from HILFN - call 01381 600525, or visit their website at www.hilocalfood.net/training

Successful Local Food Apprentices include: Sulekha Millar, Aviemore; John Grant, Forres; Betsy van der Lee, Forres; John Wright, Skye; Tania MacKenzie, Wester Ross; Jane Eastwood, Lewis; David Bullivant, Caithness and Penny Shaylor, North West Sutherland.