MORE than £1m is still available to fund agricultural projects across North Yorkshire.

A total of £1.3m is still available for projects that will be delivered by December, 2005.

The scheme is funded by single regeneration budget money from the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and is administered by the county council.

It supports projects to improve the rural economy through diversification, acquisition of new skills, supporting networks and other strategic projects not funded by other sources.

The scheme is open to public and private sector partnerships, individual farmers, other associated rural businesses and groups.

Executive member for economic development Carl Les said: "Agriculture is still a very important industry in the county and the council is keen to ensure that those engaged in it benefit from the Single Regeneration Budget funding scheme.

"We have had many successes but there is still funding available and I am sure there are more valuable initiatives which could benefit from it."

The funding team would like to hear from anyone interested in the following project areas: building trades training; landscape and environmental skills training; green waste farm composting; renewable fuel resources, local food produce and meat export workshops.