Finding a way into farming can be a daunting prospect if you or your partner doesn’t have a farming family background, or if the family business isn’t of sufficient scale to support a new incomer. That all-important opportunity to earn a livelihood within a family farm business is currently out of reach for many would-be farmers in Wales, but Farming Connect’s pioneering new initiative ‘Venture’, could well provide the way forward and be a solution for many.
‘Venture’, a new joint opportunities platform developed as part of the new Farming Connect programme, will provide support, guidance and those all-important personal and business development opportunities which will be stepping stones for both those seeking a route into farming in Wales as well as individuals looking to grow their existing businesses. Venture will also provide options for the many farmers and landowners who may have to consider leaving the industry or be planning to ‘scale down’ because they don’t have a succession plan in place.
Malcolm Thomas’ ‘Next Generation into Farming’ report, published in 2014, identified the importance of mobility within the agriculture industry in Wales in order to create a resilient, sustainable and professional future for farm businesses. One of Mr. Thomas’ key recommendations addressed the need to set up a new Joint Opportunities Platform to support new business opportunities.
‘Venture’, a bespoke new service, delivered by Menter a Busnes on behalf of Farming Connect, will identify and match established landowners seeking to enter into a contract or share farming arrangement with new entrants seeking a route into the industry or wishing to explore new joint venture opportunities.
Eirwen Williams, director of rural programmes with Menter a Busnes, says that ‘Venture’ will match parties wishing to enter into a joint venture arrangement and will consider compatibility based on a range of important factors.
“We will be setting up a mechanism for matching existing farmers and landowners who want to consider establishing a joint venture with potential contenders such as young entrants, current farm workers or herdsmen and those already in farming but wanting to grow and develop their business.
“The programme will begin with an awareness campaign, which will enable us to capture business details of both potential newcomers and those considering an exit or scaling down strategy. This will enable us to match those who wish to reduce their involvement in the day to day regime of farming with those keen to take their first steps within the industry or to upscale the size of their own business,” said Mrs. Williams.
Tailored support will be provided to both parties through a range of knowledge transfer and training activities, together with confidential advisory and mentoring services.
'Venture' Roadshows
Farming Connect has arranged four ‘Venture’ roadshows across Wales in February 2016:
01/02/2016 - Welshpool Livestock Sales, Buttington Cross, Welshpool, Powys SY21 8SR
02/02/2016 - The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1DW
22/02/2016 - Nantyffin Hotel & Motel, Llandissilio, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire SA66 7SU
25/02/2016 - Glasdir, Plas yn Dre, Llanrwst, Conwy LL26 0DF
For further information contact Gwenno Puw:
gwenno.puw@menterabusnes.co.uk / 01970 631414