THE Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, will attend this year’s Royal Welsh Show to witness the impact of Farming Connect’s ‘Start to Farm’ scheme, a vital initiative ensuring the future prosperity of family farms in Wales.
Euryn Jones, chair of the Farming Connect Strategic Advisory Board, praised the programme, stating, “Matching landowners wanting or needing to step back from the industry with younger farmers or new entrants keen to gain a foothold in farming is not only invigorating and modernising Welsh agriculture but also safeguarding the future of many farm businesses at risk.”
Mr Jones will oversee a special ‘Start to Farm’ event focused on joint ventures during the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd from 22nd to 25th July. The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, will join an invited audience of Welsh landowners and opportunity-seekers registered on Farming Connect’s ‘Start to Farm’ database. The event will also feature former beneficiaries of the scheme, who now farm collaboratively as part of joint ventures, and representatives from key stakeholder organisations within the industry.
The ‘Start to Farm’ initiative has successfully facilitated 78 new joint venture partnerships across Wales, covering all sectors of the industry, through fully funded mentoring, business, financial, and legal support. An additional 29 matched pairs of providers and seekers are currently on their pathways towards new joint ventures or share farming partnerships. Supported by approved mentors and specialist advisers, these prospective partners are developing business plans and legal frameworks in preparation for their unique business arrangements.
Mr Jones emphasised the necessity of staying abreast of best practices, new technologies, and innovative, sustainable working methods to drive established businesses forward. These areas can pose challenges to more traditional farmers, especially if there is no succession plan to transfer responsibilities to the next generation.
“Farming Connect, through its Knowledge Transfer Programme, strongly encourages and enables younger farmers to invest in personal development and engage in farm business management early on, whether within a family farm or a new partnership, while their enthusiasm, ability, and energy are at their peak,” said Mr Jones.
The ‘Start to Farm’ joint venture support services will be delivered by Farming Connect’s approved team of specialist advisers and legal experts, tailored to meet the requirements of both landowners and prospective incumbents. The initiative aims to facilitate the seamless transfer of skills, knowledge, and expertise from older or more experienced landowners to individuals who have the ability, skills, and energy to ensure sustainable farm development.
During his visit to the ‘Start to Farm’ event, the Cabinet Secretary will hear first-hand about the ‘life-affirming’ benefits experienced by many farmers involved in successful share farming arrangements in Wales. Speaking ahead of the Royal Welsh Show, Mr Irranca-Davies remarked, “Ensuring that the knowledge and expertise of more experienced farmers is passed on to new entrants is extremely important. Bringing together this expertise, experience, and insight with the ‘Start to Farm’ initiative is key to the future prosperity of Welsh agriculture.
The Welsh Government will continue to work with Farming Connect to deliver a farming industry that supports thriving rural communities and is sustainable in every sense of the word.”
