Chance to get on Norfolk’s farming ladder

Saturday, February 19, 2011
11:11 AM

A young Norfolk farmer will get a chance this autumn to get on the first rung on the farming ladder.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

This unique opportunity – the first in Britain – will enable a young Norfolk farmer to have a “starter” five-year business tenancy.

It has been made possible by a partnership between Norfolk Federation of Young Farmers’ Club and farm management specialist David Bolton Partners, thanks to the support of a benevolent landowner.

He will grant a starter tenancy on an 80-acre grass farm near Swaffham. Potential applicants will be invited to view the farm, which is between South Pickenham and Necton, on Sunday, March 20 (2pm) and prepare a detailed farm business plan.

Mr Bolton said that a tenancy will be awarded to the applicant submitting the most suitable farm business plan by May 6. A decision is expected by June to enable the tenant to farm from this autumn at Michaelmas.

The land is grade III but does not include a house. And after five years, the tenant will be expected to move to the next rung on the farming ladder.

The initiative is also supported by Easton College and the Clan Trust. Other advisers including Ben Turner, of agricultural engineers Ben Burgess & Co, president of Norfolk YFC, and chartered accountant, Grant Pilcher, of Larking Gowen, finance director of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, have inspected the farm with YFC county co-ordinator Ches Broom.

Mr Bolton said: “This is an excellent starter farm in good condition. The owners’ intentions are to provide an opportunity for new entrants into farming to start a business on this farm over a period of years – up to five.”

Mrs Broom said: “We’re not necessarily saying this must be one person – if could be the opportunity for two or three. It has woodland, so there is an opportunity for woodland management or land which could be used for poultry.”

The farm has a herd of 30 pedigree Dexter cattle, which could form the basis for expansion.

Part of the farm, which is a county wildlife site, also includes about 26 acres of water meadows, known as Houghton Spring, on the River Wissey.