What will the 100 new farming enterprises be?
AFFORDABLE FARMS FOR NEW STARTERS ON PUBLIC LAND
There are several public landowners in Powys. The County Council has 10,500 acres and has commissioned a study to see how some or all of this could be managed by a community-owned vehicle.
DIVERSIFICATION ON EXISTING FARMS
Many existing farmers would diversify into agroecological horticulture if there were secure markets. We need to build these.
BUYING LAND INTO COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
We are working to buy suitable land into community ownership through a new charitable community benefit society, the Farmland Trust. The first purchase we are working on is in Talgarth in the National Park, jointly with Black Mountains College.
Seven actions to deliver 100 farms
Develop new markets and new supply chains
The key constraint to diversification into new farm businesses is lack of access to new markets.
We must build these new routes to market.
> Local communities - food hubs and food loops.
> Our schools - public procurement.
> Nearby cities, such as Birmingham, which is actively seeking more food from its rural hinterlands.
Farmers need to own these supply chains, to that they keep the profit and power and are able to farm agroecologically.
Change planning rules that prevent homes for farmers
A fundamental tenet of current planning policy is to prevent development on agricultural land, allowing it only in towns and villages. But farmers growing for local and regional markets need homes. Changes are needed in planning policy at local and national level. New guidelines on homes for horticulture have already been agreed in Powys and the National Park.
Powys guidance on homes for horticulture
Build new farms and build affordable farms with homes
We have already built three affordable farms on 35 acres leased from Powys County Council for 95 years.
A next step is to explore building more affordable farms on County farmland, this time working with ClwydAlyn Housing Association to build the homes through Wales' social housing programme.
Another next step is to buy farmland into community ownership for new farming enterprises, via a community owned Farmland Trust. The Trust has been created and the first purchase is being researched in Talgarth.
Develop skills and pathways into farming for a new generation of farmers
Black Mountains College in our region teaches agroecological horticulture.
The next stage is to build a pathway from college through apprenticeships and small farm business start-up training.
Facilitate business support to farmers
The Welsh Government has already declared a horticulture strategy, and provides technical and financial support for horticulture. This has been very valuable for the farmers at Sarn.
The next stage is to build on this foundation, providing more and stronger support.
Secure supportive policies from national Government
Welsh Government has been supportive of the work in Powys throughout, including funding. Meanwhile, the Well-being of Future Generations Commissioner has adopted food as a new and major plank of his work.
The 100-farm project will require a range of particular supports from Welsh Government.
Build political support for using public land in Powys for new farming enterprises
The key to building political support is to build understanding of the need to diversify food supplies and grow more locally. Public understanding of this is low.
It will then be necessary to make the case that farmland, particularly publicly owned land, must be protected for growing food for local and regional markets.
A key tool for this will be an analysis of the economic, social and environmental benefits to the region from building 100 new farm enterprises.
The Future Farms Partnership
These organisations are working together to deliver the 100-farm challenge.
They will work with the two leading public bodies in our region: Powys County Council and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. They will also work with Welsh Government and the Future Generations Commissioner.
BWYD POWYS FOOD SUSTAINABLE FOOD PARTNERSHIP
Regional food strategy, community engagement.
OUR FOOD TRUST
Partnership coordination. Facilitation of: building farms, policy and planning changes, training to farm pathways, access to Birmingham market, communications.
RODDICK FOUNDATION BIOREGIONAL PROGRAMME
Collective marketing among farms, diversification, access to markets, access to finance.
BLACK MOUNTAINS COLLEGE
Training in agroecological horticulture, student participation in communicating the need for access to land.
SOCIAL FARMS AND GARDENS
Community food growing.
CULTIVATE
Local market channels.
LANTRA/FARMING CONNECT
Support for new farming businesses, access to markets.
LANDWORKERS' ALLIANCE
Recruiting farmers, support for small farm collaborative marketing.
NATURE FRIENDLY FARMING NETWORK
Bringing expertise and support to farmers who are diversifying on their land.
