Yorkshire Water has announced a starter scheme to get young farm workers renting land.
The project is titled Beyond Nature. Plots will be rented out to young farmers and anyone under 40 with an interest in farm ownership.
In the European Union, only 11% of farms are run by those under 40. The largest barriers for young farmers who want to run their own farm is expense and how often land becomes available.
The first farm announced in the scheme is Scow Hall Farm, located behind Swinsty reservoir in Washburn Valley.
Lisa Harrowsmith, lead surveyor at Yorkshire Water, said:
“After the first five-year lease, we will let the farm to another young farmer, therefore creating a cycle of opportunity for the next generation of farmers. Once the tenancy is up, we will assist that farmer with finding new opportunities on a permanent holding or elsewhere within the agricultural industry.”
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Yorkshire Water’s intention is to give young farmers the tools to create sustainable farms on their 70,000 acres of land. Mentorship, training and business advice will be provided.
Ellie Britton, 22, who was brought up on her parents farm in Ripon, said:
“My dad has a farm with his brother and they both have sons. Their options are to either continue working together or split up into pairs to buy a farm. Farmers often keep farms and hand them down for generations. If they do come up they are unattainably expensive or need a lot of renovation work. I think the Yorkshire Water scheme is a good idea to get people going with experience.”
Applications for Scow Hall Farm will open in late August. More information can be found on the Yorkshire Water website or via their social media pages.
