Provider Profile

(An outline of the opportunity being provided)

About the landowner

We are seeking a collaborator in a number of agricultural ventures at Glanmarlais Farm, Carmarthenshire.  The Farm is set over 103 acres on the Western side of the mid-Towy valley, bound by the Afon Marlais, a tributary of the Towy River. Whether you are interested in share farming, contract farming or establishing a new enterprise, we are open to discussing potential arrangements that align with our nature-friendly management focus. 

The Farm has been registered and managed as organic for most of the last quarter of a century. Our land runs from around 150m to 300m in altitude, with around two thirds of the total area on the steep Southeasterly-easterly slope. The vegetation ranges from the slightly more improved side of semi-improved grassland to unimproved lowland neutral, acid and marshy grasslands (all three of which are priority habitats).

The Farm offers around 30 acres of woodland of various maturities.  It is made up of semi-ancient broadleaf and a more commercial  standing of conifers consisting of Western Hemlock, Norway Spruce, Japanese Larch, Douglas Fir and Sitka. The broadleaf woodland includes large amounts of diseased ash suitable for firewood or other use. We have recently received a felling licence under which we are authorised to harvest the wood following Continuous Cover Forestry principles, a sustainable system of management that aims to develop structurally, visually and biologically diverse forests that deliver ecological services.

Hedges form an important part of the Farm and are highly valued as an important feature, contributing shelter to stock and reservoirs for biodiversity. The land has been non-intensively grazed by native breeds of sheep and cattle over the last few years, and consists mainly of old pasture. However, recently we have considered that the weather, and therefore the land, has been too wet to accommodate cattle year-round.

The Farm also runs a Greener Camping Club certified campsite with three compostable toilets and five non-electric grass pitches for tents and campervans. The campsite provides an almost-wild camping experience while offering a shared fridge, washing-up point and hot shower/changing room facilities. One of the covered barns is used for meals or a packing area in the event of rain. A designated dark sky zone, the site attracts stargazers as well as people wanting to relax, enjoy nature, and explore the beautiful surrounding countryside and local places of interest.

The historic Farm buildings have all been sympathetically renovated. They consist of our home, as well as additional accommodation for the extended family. There is also a hay barn, workshop, Dutch barn and cow bier, which can be used to support any new commercial farming activity.

Farm Vision

We are looking to run the Farm as a business which fully encompasses biodiversity across our grazing lands and woodland, and are keen to discuss potential commercial arrangements that align with our nature-friendly principles.

Farm Objectives

• Regenerative farming: focus on low-input, regenerative practices to produce nutrient-dense food, improve soil health, enhance ecosystem services and promote biodiversity.

• Sustainable forestry: focus on the sustainable production and processing of timber or firewood with the provision of a wide-range of ecosystem services.

• Profitability: leverage our existing assets and resources to develop a profitable business model for the Farm. As part of this, we wish to market a portion of our produce directly to consumers. The continuation of our green tourism is optional, and will depend on its fit within the broader business plan.

• Community: develop strong links with local businesses and become a hub for knowledge-sharing of profitable and nature-friendly farming and forestry.

• Team ethos: we promote a positive work environment and a good work-life balance.

Opportunities

We have around 70 acres of grazing land and 30 acres of woodland that we wish to commercialise.

We currently have a quad, ride-on brushcutter and timber trailer, and a number of out-buildings that can be accommodated to serve a new business enterprise.

We are keen to explore meat production, market gardening, agroforestry, timber production, pastured poultry - but are open to other enterprises which further support our regenerative objectives.

Partner qualifications

• We are looking for people with a passion for regenerative agriculture and sustainable forestry and, ideally, a track record of management.
• We are open to working with new or experienced farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, or anyone with the drive and imagination to develop new enterprises.
• Experience or appetite for direct marketing and social media marketing is desirable.
• Established farm businesses and individuals are equally encouraged to enquire.