New entrants to farming appear eager to take up Forestry Commission Scotland’s opportunity to lease part-time ’starter farm’ units on the National Forest Estate.
The Commission launched its pilot ’starter farm’ initiative at the end of January (2012). The scheme provides new entrants with an opportunity to lease part-time farming units from the National Forest Estate and enable them to get a first foothold in the industry.
Two units in Fife (South Dundonald Farm, Lochgelly and Pitcairn Farm, Cardenden) are currently on offer and the Commission is delighted that to date over 50 application packs for each site have already been issued to interested parties.
Robin Waddell, Agricultural Advisor, Forestry Commission Scotland, said;
’It is widely recognised that tenancy opportunities for new entrants are limited so we expected demand for the ’starter farms’ to be high. So far we have had a very positive response and this is exactly what we had hoped for. The vast majority of interest is definitely from Scotland however we have had enquiries from as far afield as Australia! Early indications are that we will have a good number of applications to process after the closing date.’
Closing date for applications is Tuesday 17 April 2012 after which applications will be processed by a selection panel made up of Forestry Commission and industry representatives.
The panel includes prominent Fife farmer, John Cameron from Kilcolquhar. Mr Cameron said;
’I am pleased to be involved with this exciting initiative which is demonstrating an understanding of the need for tenancy opportunities to get new people into farming.
’The panel will assess each application against a pre-determined scoring matrix that focuses on the applicant’s abilities, motivation and business plan. We’ll also be looking at how the candidates will supplement the farm income as the farms are relatively small and would be a part-time business opportunity for the successful individual.’
