Some of the many farm buildings that exist today surplus to farm requirements can provide the frame for new companies and initiatives and hereby assist in promoting life in rural areas. The Knowledge Centre for Agriculture is one of 4 Danish partners in LISA, a project entitled “Landsbyudvikling i Scandinavia” (Village Development in Scandinavia) that has the use of rural buildings as one of a number of focus areas.

-The agricultural buildings surplus to production requirements have a potential in the development of rural areas that should of course be used And agriculture shall naturally be an active and central player in that process, says Jørgen Korning, Head of Rural District Development at the Knowledge Centre.

Norddjurs local authority together with Djursland farmers association will hold a meeting on 20 January at Allingåbro Hotel as inspiration. The meeting is part of the LISA initiative and potential small-businesses and other entrepreneurs and owners of buildings can hear more about possibilities.

-The objective of the meeting is to generate ideas and develop contacts that can form the way for concrete initiatives and projects. It is not necessarily farmers themselves that shall initiate and develop  ideas, it can be entrepreneurs with a  good idea where the farmer rents the buildings out says, Jørgen Korning.

Facts
LISA – Landsbyudvikling i Scandinavia – consists of 16 partners in Scandinavia of which 4 are Danish: Knowledge Centre for Agriculture, Norddjurs Local Authority, Skive Local Authority, and VIA University College. The project is supported by the EU Programme Region IVA.