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Forging a career in farming and growing requires overcoming certain barriers that are preventing many people from realising their dreams of living on the land. Organic Futures exists to help tackle these issues and offer a positive vision of what could become possible.
Land Land is becoming increasingly difficult to come by, either to rent or to buy for young businesses. The average price of arable land in the UK has passed £10,000/hectare for the first time and prices are increasing by 28%. Small acreages are being snapped up by horse owners and large acreages by investment bankers. Rental rates can be extortionate for small areas of half-decent land, and secure long-term tenancies are becoming rarer. Access to land is a massive barrier for those without much capital and young people especially. Organic Futures will be tackling these issues as far as it can, but many are determined by market forces beyond most people's control. Fortunately however, opportunities still exist. Some forward thinking farmers and growers, for instance, are willing to let out small areas of land, at sensible rates, to young businesses. It is this networking that is crucial to opening opportunities. |
Finance Even when you've found some land, accessing suitable finance to start up your business can be difficult to come by. A small horticultural business, for instance, could be set up with £20,000. To banks this is small fry – a personal loan can be secured relatively easily for this amount, but the repayments are large. Organic farming and growing is a long term activity with low initial returns. High repayment rates with low or no income could easily kill off a small business. Loans for organic farmers and growers need to be tailored to the nature of their business and financial institutions need to cater for this unique type of business. Long term businesses require long term visions. Triodos Bank are established lenders to the organic sector |
Education Organic agriculture and horticulture requires unique and very specific training to empower the individual to become a competent and successful farmer or grower. The set of skills required are both diverse yet specialist. Much of this cannot be learned in the classroom, only be experience in the field. Few formal educational courses exist in the UK at present to meet these specific needs. There are some colleges offering specific organic courses, but these alone do not offer enough t equip the next generation of farmers and growers with sufficient experience. Short course exist to offer technical training in certain aspects of agriculture and horticulture, ranging from one day to several days. These can be very good targeted training days that require little commitment but offer useful knowledge. There are apprenticeship schemes in operation, offering a two year paid apprenticeship with an organic or biodynamic farmer or grower. During this period the apprentice will learn key skills, gain experience and learn the theoretical background to the subject area. It is a unique and invaluable way of learning that is the best possible preparation for a career in farming or growing. Organic
educational courses |
Housing As second home ownership increases and more professionals move out to the rural areas, the opportunities for people on low wages to live in the countryside diminishes. Gone are the days of farm workers cottages and village housing that was affordable for agricultural labourers. Many farm workers and even farmers now have to live in nearby towns. Living on, or in close proximity to the land you work is important on many levels. Practically, you must be close to attend to buildings, livestock, protected plants and the security of your holding. Psychologically, you should be able to enjoy the benefits of the beauty of nature, which you are helping to preserve. Mentally, you should not have to have the stress of commuting. Financially, you should not have to endure the costs of commuting. Affordable rural housing is a major issue at local and national levels. Progress is being made in certain ways, but market forces are the main driver which Government policy cannot quickly turn around. The whole rural planning system needs overhauling and re-aligning with the social needs of a sustainable rural Britain. Rural
housing Association |