If you are in the market for a new job and are lucky enough to get invited to an interview then remember to research the business and the market it operates within before you go. Whilst no potential employer is looking for candidates to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of their business it will look like you are not interested if you don’t know anything at all. Visit the company’s website, download and read any annual reports and visit their competitor’s websites to get a better understanding of the marketplace. If possible, try to think of some relevant questions about the business that you can ask during the interview. Just a short time preparing can be hugely beneficial when you are in the hot seat and might just be enough to get you the job!

If you want to recruit and retain good staff, people must want to work for you in the first place and enjoy it once they are on the team. But how do you become an ‘employer of choice’? This is not something that happens overnight but rather is a reflection of your branding and the way you treat and motivate staff. Does your organisation have a clearly articulated strategy? Is communication with staff open and transparent? Are employees encouraged to engage with the business and valued? Are your terms and conditions competitive amongst your peers and do you offer training and development opportunities?

Ultimately your success as a business is based on the performance of your employees – they are your most precious asset and your most important audience so take time to involve them and understand their motivations and it will pay off as you will attract and retain higher calibre employers.

You may have heard about recent proposals to build a new 8,000 cow dairy unit on land in Lincolnshire. This high profile project by Nocton Dairies Ltd will see a new herd of 8,100 cows established on a greenfield site, with cows housed apart from during the dry period and fed with forage and by-products from the surrounding area.

A bold proposal for sure but is this kind of intensive development good for the industry or will it simply draw negative attention that will ultimately harm the reputation of the whole sector?

Undoubtedly Nocton Dairies are not proposing anything wrong. There are plenty of herds where milking cows are continuously housed and there are many in the industry that would advocate this as a high welfare system because cows can be closely monitored and cared for. But this kind of approach does not necessarily chime well with consumers, who like to think of dairy farming as a pastoral enterprise with cows happily grazing. Already, emotive media coverage has spoken of ‘large scale factory farming’ in the same breath as ‘Nocton Dairies’.

But in fact their proposals are commercially sound and cow welfare should be exemplary, particularly when a full time vet will be on site – something that not many dairy units can lay claim to. The proposed development also has the potential to be a flagship for the dairy industry, something that other dairy farmers can learn from and be proud to be associated with.

Ultimately, one thing is for certain – this kind of enterprise will have a high profile and will attract attention towards dairy farming in a more direct way than we have perhaps ever seen before. The development therefore carries a huge reputational responsibility unlike that ever seen before on a UK farm. If Nocton Dairies is a successful business, with good welfare and performance standards then it will represent the very best of our dairy industry. But, should things go wrong, the problems will be hugely visible and this could have implications for every single farmer in the country. The public’s ignorance about farming may also be a threat and Nocton will have to be open and communicative to the public to garner support.

It will be interesting to see these exciting proposals develop in the coming months – for it is perhaps the first farming enterprise in this country where every farmer has a vested interest in it being successful.

The RSPB is a UK charity that speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. As the largest wildlife conservation organisation in Europe, with over one million members, its work is focused on the species and habitats that are in the greatest danger. The RSPB has more than 200 nature reserves, 10 regional offices, 1,300 staff and one vision – to work for a better environment rich in birds and wildlife.

The European Commission has announced a new logo that will become obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products produced within the EU from July 1, 2010. The ‘euro-leaf’ logo (pictured) was chosen following an online competition that saw some 130,000 people voting, and is intended to become an easy way for consumers to quickly identify organic products.

As pressure to reduce carbon emissions from the food chain increases, a recent report adds weight to the theory that this can only be achieved through more intensive agricultural and horticultural production. The ‘How low can we go?’ report, commissioned by WWF and the Food Climate Research Network, suggests that we can only meet carbon emission targets by making the industry more efficient, using more technology, reducing waste and minimising the carbon involved in food production, manufacturing and transport.

Is it the recession, the increasing cost of energy, or just the practical nature of those working in landbased industries?  Whatever is the cause, some 50 per cent of our readers claim that they turn towards extra clothing and bedsocks rather than cranking up the thermostat when the weather turns chilly. A further 35 per cent claim that they try to reduce drafts whilst 14 per cent just turn up the heating. Wonder whether they are the same people who don’t care about carbon footprint (see story below!)

There is a satisfaction that seems to come from working with the soil and coaxing beautiful things to grow when pursuing landscape jobs:

Landscape Designer

For those with an eye for patterns, colours and arrangement, plus a love for plant materials, landscape design might be the ideal career choice. A landscape designer has the opportunity to look at the big picture– to see how the gardens,  buildings, walkways, driveways, and environs work together to create incredible effects. Whether it be a formal setting, or more casual country garden, the best gardens are well-planned by trained designers. Designers also usually are responsible for creating inventory lists and cost estimates.

Horticulturalist

A horticulturist will be involved in working directly with plants, but must also have the knowledge and management skills to oversee a number of tasks. These can include plant propagation, chemical management for pest and weed control, integration of gardens with public interpretation and government requirements, greenhouse management, and so on. A person with strong leadership skills looking at landscape jobs would find this to be a rewarding path.

Gardeners & Groundskeepers

Landscape jobs are typically associated with gardeners and groundskeepers. These people spend most of their time in direct contact with the soil and plants, caring for them and nurturing them. Gardeners will be the first to see the green shoots in the spring, and then the first buds, and flowers. Those who wish to have the closest relationships with plants and the soil will know that this is their niche. Groundskeepers not only work with blooming plants, but will care for lawns and hedges, creating neatly manicured natural areas.

Aborist

An arborist is one who specialises in the care of trees. This will likely involve the need to be able to work at heights, and to climb. Arborists know how to prune each species, and how to recognize and combat disease and pests. For those with a love for plants and working out of doors, but who like an element of risk, this could be satisfying work.

Outdoor Lighting Specialist

There are those with a mechanical bent rather than a green thumb, who also find gardens appealing. Such people might consider becoming an irrigation and/or outdoor lighting specialist. Gardens and lawns need water delivered regularly, and people prefer that the piping be hidden. Lighting enhances natural scenes but no one wants to look at a maze of wiring. Expertise in these areas is in demand.

When looking for landscape jobs, there are positions for people of varying talents. Landscaping, in any of its many aspects, can be a rewarding career path.

If you love being outdoors and have a drive to better the environment, there are interesting and exciting ‘green jobs’ that you can pursue. With several categories of outdoor environmental jobs, you are sure to find your niche in this growing sector.

In the field of natural resources and conservation, rangers, wardens, and landscapers work outside in all weather conditions. They are involved primarily with land stewardship and monitoring. In addition, they work with the public to educate on topics pertaining to the land’s resources and the steps that can be taken to preserve them.

Ecology

Protect the endangered species of the world when you work in the field of Ecology. Analyse how organisms interact with their natural environment and report on the distribution of organisms in a specific area. Make a difference when you work to create and maintain thriving natural habitats.

Energy

Energy is a rapidly growing field with diverse and exciting new positions. Wind is an energy source still being evaluated so there are many positions for wind resource specialists. Out in the field, they conduct assessments, design measurement campaigns, and evaluate wind farm layouts. Similarly, hydrologists are hired to study the distribution and circulation of water and their work is done primarily through research at outdoor sites.

Construction and Engineering

There are many construction jobs that focus on the geotechnical aspects of building projects. Evaluating the earth’s subsurface, creating foundations, and monitoring the conditions at the building site are all duties that fall under this category. Geotechnical engineers and construction workers assure that the physical and chemical properties are taken into consideration before and during building.

Recycling and Waste Management
Those looking to work hands-on to better the environment can consider a job in waste and recycling. Many of the worksites are located outdoors and the jobs can include collection services, sorting and processing, and composting and landfill operations.

Farming and Animal Care

Another hands-on industry is farming. The United Kingdom is rich in farm land. Animal care, horticulture, and fencing are just a sample of the many jobs in the agricultural community.

Recreation Jobs

For individuals who are adventurous and athletically inclined, there are many outdoor recreational jobs that connect people with the environment. Those working in a wilderness park, leading a mountain climbing or river rafting expedition serve an important purpose. They are bringing others closer to nature as well as educating them on their surroundings.

91 per cent of people who work in the land-based industries believe that their job provides more satisfaction than other industries.

That’s one of the findings from research that we’ve recently conducted, which also showed that 89 per cent of workers would recommend a land-based career to a young person.

Other findings:

• 55 per cent felt that they were safer in a land-based job during a time of economic recession than if they worked in other industries
• 88 per cent felt that practical experience was more important than qualifications
• 20 per cent of those surveyed were currently seeking work as a result of redundancy and 26 per cent had no relevant sector experience

Recent independent research has indicated a need for a significant increase in workers in the sector, particularly in agriculture, and our findings would seem to suggest that the economic recession is already bringing some new faces to our industry. Check out the latest jobs and land-based vacancies here.