Fresh Start Academy – A new opportunity for landowners and young people
There is a tendency in life to take the easy option, particularly when the short term benefits appear preferable. It is the same in farming – generally when tenancies end or the business strategy changes and land becomes available it is easier to give it to an established farmer than a new entrant.
The established farmer has an established business, a proven track record, capital and there are no moral or social obligations entailed in the arrangement (i.e. housing, sole incomes etc.); the new entrant has none of these.
Douglas Jackson of Laurence Gould Partnership and Co- ordinator for the Fresh Start Academy in the South East explains that this is why the Fresh Start Academy was established. “In addition to providing a training course on various aspects of business management the Academy aims to prepare the young people for taking on opportunities that arise and to provide support in the early stages,” he says.
Young people in East and West Sussex were approached via local agricultural colleges and young farmers clubs and 18 initially signed up for the course with a further four joining recently. They meet monthly and receive talks and encouragement from professionals in all sectors of the industry. Speakers so far have included Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF and Andy Guy, the Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year and previous Farmers Weekly Young Farmer of the Year.
The Fresh Start Academy was launched to land agents, other professionals, estate owners and farmers at a breakfast at the South of England Show in June 2006. The response was very positive and the first potential matches are at the discussion stage. Furthermore, three of the Academy members have now moved up the career ladder into management positions.
Whilst the initiative has started in Sussex the aim is that it should be applicable anywhere in the UK. Plans are underway, with the support of South East England Development Agency, to roll it out to the entire South East Region over the next 18 months.
Giving young people a chance is not always the easiest option in the short term but the Fresh Start Academy aims to assist in the process. Without new entrants there is no long-term future for UK agriculture.
There are opportunities for landowners and retiring farmers who would like to give a new entrant an opportunity and leave a lasting legacy.
There are opportunities for young people who would like to be part of the programme anywhere in the UK.
If you would like to be part of this exciting project or would like further information please contact Steve Lindsay – National Project Manager (01727 812 016 or
steve.lindsay@
barclayscorporate.com) or Douglas Jackson – Fresh Start Academy Coordinator (01444 232 822 or douglas@
laurencegould.com).
Douglas Jackson Rural Business Consultant
Laurence Gould Partnership Limited
www.laurencegould.com
16
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
agriculture
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