17 March 2025
There are currently four fantastic share farming opportunities available in Wales through Farming Connect’s ‘Start to Farm’ programme. If you have the right skills and experience, your future career path and destiny could be about to change.
Since 2015, 75 ambitious young farmers desperate to combine both the strategic management and practical side of farming have been matched up with Welsh landowners wanting to ease their workload or transition to retirement. The new partnerships have all been facilitated through ‘Start to Farm’.
Originally launched under its former name, ‘Venture’, the programme’s remit is to introduce landowners, referred to as ‘providers’, to opportunity ‘seekers’. Once a match is made, both parties are offered a range of both subsidised and fully funded support services including mentoring, training, business, legal and financial advice which help get the arrangement over the line in a mutually beneficial way and that protects both sides.
“Gaining access to land and capital can seem impossible for many young farmers if there is no family farm where their skills, energy and input are needed,” says Eiry Williams, manager of the ‘Start to Farm’ programme. Eiry explains that with four share farming opportunities currently available throughout Wales, in sectors including dairy, beef cattle, horticulture and organic, this might be the perfect time to check out the ‘Start to Farm’ section on the Farming Connect website.
“There’s no optimum time to either apply or commission Farming Connect to promote a share farming opportunity, but with many farmers preparing for the end of the financial year and planning ahead, this could be a great time to either seek out a new opportunity or bring on board a young farmer whose input could enable you to take a step back from day-to-day farming, without necessarily ceasing altogether,” says Eiry.
Not surprisingly, ‘seekers’ will need to prove their credentials. Experience of the relevant farm, forestry or horticulture sector, business acumen and focus, enthusiasm, confidence and a great work ethic are obvious essentials, but equally important will be their willingness to help find solutions to challenges and to help identify and implement new or more sustainable ways of managing the business.
“All farmers face external pressures such as the weather, market fluctuations and input costs, but for some landowners a willingness to consider new ideas and embrace different or innovative ways of working can breathe new life into a business which has perhaps not moved with the times or had the resources to capitalise on opportunities.
“By partnering with an established farmer or landowner, young farmers and new entrants can make a massive contribution to the overall viability and prosperity of a business, while avoiding full exposure to any potential issues,” said Eiry.
There are many different share farming or partnership models to consider ranging from farm business tenancies to contract or share farming arrangements and equity partnerships. Some will include an agreement that allows the incomer to gradually buy into the business over time, which provides a structured pathway without requiring a large upfront financial commitment.
“Effort, hard work, new ideas and skills will be rewarded by mentorship, the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge about farm management, business strategy and decision-making, giving the landowner the opportunity to ease back from the labour commitment while remaining involved.
“The most successful share farming arrangements encourage open and honest communications, a mutual respect for each other’s opinions and a willingness to investigate and implement new business strategies which will lead to a more sustainable and profitable business long-term.
For further information visit 'Start to Farm' on the Farming Connect website or contact your local development officer.