Farming is such a great industry to work in, especially if you do not originally come from a farming background. With every day presenting new and different challenges, we asked four new entrants why they got into the industry.
1. Paul White
Paul White (pictured above) has recently begun his farming career, with six acres of land in the heart of Lancashire.
Just nine months into farming and Paul says that the biggest challenge new entrants face is acquiring land. He farms free range turkeys and has recently added sheep into the mix.
Paul has wanted to be farmer from a young age, but instead studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams university. He worked for the National Trust as a rural surveyor and also became the leader of his local council. After the lockdowns eased, Paul decided to take a break from work - just as the British Poultry council told the nation there would be a shortage of turkeys. This was his opportunity to get into the industry.
Paul now has a weekly segment on BBC Radio Lancashires breakfast show called Our Lancashire Farm. He has also filmed for Channel 5s Springtime on the Farm.
You can follow along with Pauls journey on Instagram: @pauls_farm_uk
2. Matt Styles
Matt Styles farms sheep across 80 acres in Cambridgeshire with his wife, Floss.
Despite being a fourth-generation farmers son and growing up on a 300-acre arable farm, there was not enough land or work for him to stay on the family farm alongside his brother and father.
2020 was his first full year farming in his own right and, he says, that his first year could not have been more of a challenge. Although difficult, Matt thrived and his herd is continuing to grow in great condition. He wanted to bring the consumer into the process of food production from field to fork with the introduction of his lamb meat box service.
Now, he is two years into farming on his own and says that he never stops learning - and, that it is important to always ask questions. His top tip is to always remember to laugh - even on a rainy day when farming is tough.
You can follow along with Matts journey on Instagram: @thehonestfarmer_
3. Robert McAneney
Robert McAneney secured his foot on the agricultural ladder by winner a tenancy through Yorkshire Water. He fended off the competition and won the 84 hectares (208 acres) at Scow Hall Farm, near Harrogate, Yorkshire in 2021.
Roberts grandad had a farm that was unfortunately taken out by foot-and-mouth. Robert had always wanted his own farm and even though he is essentially a first-generation farmer, securing land to farm with no ties is very difficult.
High up on his priority list is environmental practices with 11 acres left for natural woodland regeneration. Even though there is uncertainty ahead for farmers, Robert is using this as an opportunity to try out new ventures and help farm in an environmentally friendly way.
You can follow along with Roberts journey on Instagram: @scowhallfarm
4. Sophie Arlott
Sophie Arlott has gone from novice shepherdess to supplying lamb to Harrods Food Hall and some of the countrys most prominent chefs.
She received the silver New Entrant Award at the British Farming Awards in October 2015, after having grown her hobby into a commercial flock of 200 ewes on 100 acres of rented land, and supplying six Michelin-starred restaurants.
As a first generation farmer, Sophie has both enjoyed and endured a steep learning curve as her business has grown. Rearing rare and native sheep in the small Lincolnshire village of Lenton, known as Lavinton, she has dealt with disease, extreme weather and a catalogue of business challenges.
Her business, Lavinton Lamb, has been championed by Marcus Wareing, Alain Roux and Sat Bains and, has appeared on BBC Ones Saturday Kitchen.
Sophie says that getting into the farming industry as a new entrant is very difficult if you do not have your own farm. It is, she says, a learning curve, but Sophie loves stockmanship and working outdoors every day of the year.
It was hugely rewarding to achieve the silver award for New Entrants at the British Farming Awards.
She says: At the start of my farming career, it was so nice to have some affirmation that I was doing something right.
You can follow along with Sophies journey on Instagram: @lavintonlamb
British Farming Awards
If you are a new entrant in the farming industry, why not enter the British Farming Awards New Entrants award: Against the odds.
It is open to all farmers who have started working in the industry in the last three years. You would be a farmer with no security of a family farm and have built an enterprise completely from scratch. You may have worked your way up to achieve your goals, despite not coming from an agricultural background or have left your career in a different industry to pursue your dream to farm.
To enter or for more information, visit this website.
