The Tenant Farmers Association’s (TFA) has announced its new National Chairman as Hampshire Church Commissioners tenant farmer James Gray.
Mr Gray takes over from North Yorkshire County Council tenant farmer Stephen Wyrill who stands down having completed his three year term in office as National Chairman.
In accepting his new role James said: “It is an honour to have been elected by the TFA’s Executive Committee to serve as the Association’s National Chairman for the next three years – a period over which we will see some of the most momentous changes for our industry and our country as we resign our membership of the European Union and start our independent future.
“The TFA has already had a major role in beginning to shape the post Brexit policy framework for agriculture and will continue to have an important role to ensure that the voice of the tenanted sector of agriculture is heard loud and clear at the negotiating table both at the UK level and within England and Wales.”
Tribute to Stephen Wyrill
Mr Gray also paid tribute to Stephen Wyrill as the outgoing National Chairman.
He said: “Stephen has served the Association with distinction, not only in his three years as National Chairman but also in his past roles as National Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Regional Chairman for the North-East.
“Wherever he found himself he has gone out of his way to ensure that the thoughts, concerns, hopes, fears and aspirations of the TFA’s members have been heard by all those with influence over the tenanted sector of agriculture.
“He has covered many miles throughout his Chairmanship and has never hesitated, when given the opportunity, from representing the TFA wherever and whenever required.”
“It has been said before, but bears repetition, that if the TFA disappeared today it would need to be re-invented tomorrow. It is the only organisation devoted to speaking up on behalf of non-landowning farmers, traditionally tenants with agreements regulated by the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 or with more recent Farm Business Tenancies.
“However, it is the aim of the TFA to become the organisation representing all landless farmers including share farmers, graziers, contractors and an increasing number of other farmers entering other less formal agreements,” said James.
Fourth generation tenant
James Gray is a fourth generation tenant of the Church Commissioners at Wonston Manor Farm, a 600 acre holding in mid Hampshire.
Born at the farm, James read Agriculture at Reading University, graduating in 1980. From then James worked for a year at Church Farm, Finchampstead, Berkshire, a beef and arable farm.
He was an assistant shepherd of 1800 mule ewes at Faccombe Estates Ltd, Hampshire until 1984. Moving then to become farm assistant at Wonston Manor Farm, Hampshire, involved in seed growing, beef and sheep, where he stayed until 1987.
He then became farm manager at Chilbolton Down Farms, Hampshire, 1500 acres arable, 3000 mule ewes, where he spent the next 10 years, until becoming a tenant farmer at Wonston Manor Farm in 1997.
