Cymraeg Access to land can present a significant barrier for many new entrants looking to set up their own land-based enterprise.
In light of this, we work with our membership and with allied organisations on several projects which aim to open up access to land for new entrant farmers. This work currently includes coordinating the the Farmstart Network and the South West Land Matching Service.
To help overcome some of the obstacles facing new entrants to farming, the Landworkers’ Alliance is working with members to run ‘farm-start’ and ‘farm-incubation’ projects around the UK to develop a network of best practice and encourage the development of new opportunities.
What is a Farmstart?
Farmstarts are an important entry route into farming, and fill a gap in opportunities for new entrants. They provide an opportunity for people to test their farming and growing ideas in a protected environment, whilst building the knowledge, skills, confidence and experience to progress to their own farm or market garden. How a Farmstart operates and the level of support available to new entrants can vary greatly, however all farmstarts provide:
– access to land and equipment
– routes to market
– business support, training or mentoring
Through this provision of support, farmstarts take much of the financial risk and stress away from new entrants in the crucial early phases, allowing them to focus on working out what kind of business suits them best.
For most people, taking on a farmstart opportunity will follow on from some form of training and on-farm work experience, and will give them time in which to test their ideas before making further steps to start their own business on long-term foundations.
What is the Farmstart Network?
The Farmstart Network is a cluster of organisations that share experiences and support one another in the spirit of mutual aid and solidarity.
We host ‘introduction to farmstart’ and ‘how to start a farmstart’ workshops for organisations who are interested in starting farmstarts.
We arrange site visits and network get-togethers
We share knowledge and resources
Currently running Farmstarts and Incubator Farms:
– Kindling Trust in Manchester – see case study
– Tamar Grow Local in the Tamar Valley – see case study
– OrganicLea in London – see case study
– Mach Maethlon in Machynlleth
– LESS in Lancaster
How do organisations and businesses join the network?
To be a network member you must be an organisation in the process of developing or already running a project which includes the 3 core features of a farmstart (see top of page). If this sounds like you, please fill out this form and we will be in touch with you.
If you are interested in collaborating with the network or supporting it’s work, we’d love to hear from you, get in touch with hatty.richards@landworkersalliance.org.uk
If you are a budding grower or farmer looking for opportunities to work on a farmstart, please check individual network members’ websites for details. LWA work to support new entrants into farming in a number of ways, have a look at our New Entrants page for more details and useful resources.
South West Land Match Service
The South West Land Match was set up in 2023 by Landworkers’ Alliance and Tamar Grow Local CIC as part of Defra’s New Entrant Support Scheme (NESS). The service supports new entrant farmers to find land by matching them with land owners who are looking to diversify their businesses or set up new enterprises on their land. The service is now open to all landowners and land seekers in the south west of England.
Resources
Further support
Ecological Land Cooperative (ELC), work to develop affordable, low impact, smallholdings for ecological agriculture.
Land In Our Names, work to reconnect Black and People of Colour Communities with land in Britain.
Please be aware that we do not currently have capacity or resources to help individual members or potential members with specific projects, or offer any bespoke advice. We have, however, identified this as a gap in our work to support members, so please watch this space!
In the meantime please take the time to explore our staff page to see if your enquiry fits into a specific staff members’ role and email them directly.
However, if you require critical and urgent support please email info@landworkersalliance.org.uk and include URGENT in the subject header – we will try out best to respond promptly and offer help and advice where appropriate.
Page heading photo credit: Adam Payne
