Fresh Start Initiative

This article is about the sustainable farming initiative begun in 2004. For the moderate eurosceptic pressure group founded in 2011, see Fresh Start Project.

Launched at the Smithfield Show in December 2004 by Sir Don Curry, the Fresh Start initiative aims to secure sustainable future for farming in England by:

promoting an entrepreneurial culture, amongst the next generation of farm business owners
promoting the use of generic business planning & management techniques
promotion of farming (and all its associated activities) as an attractive career option for new entrants
development of a “matching service” that will link potential new entrants to those wishing to reduce their direct involvement or retire.
development of a national mentoring capability for all new / growing farm enterprises
practical support for a continual professional development culture to be adopted by everybody working in this industry

A further objective is to stimulate existing farmers to think about their businesses in a post CAP reform environment, whether this leads to a planned expansion/a diversification or a managed exit. The choices made could create new opportunities for new entrants.^[1]

The First Academy

One year after the initiative was launched, representatives from a range of bodies including Fresh Start, Chichester College, Plumpton College, the Sussex Young Farmers and the Laurence Gould Partnership met to discuss Fresh Start and how it can be taken forward in the South East. From this meeting, and subsequent meetings, the concept of the Fresh Start Academy was created.

In February 2006 18 potential members met with stakeholders to discuss principle of the Academy. From this meeting the Sussex Academy was started with the Kent one, based at Hadlow College, following close behind.

The Role of the Academy

Although each Academy can be tailored to individual requirements.,^[2] they are all designed to help new entrants find openings in the farm industry. They typically involve training in business skills, mentoring and then identifying opportunities through a matchmaking network.

The programme consists of a twelve-month training course which covers various aspects of farm business management, with students attending one session every month. Likely topics include:

The impact of mid-term review
How to successfully market your business
Environmental stewardship
Diversification
Applying for tenancies and the rules and regulations relating to tenancies
Business administration
Communication and IT
Risk management^[3]

Throughout the programme land agents and consultants are involved to ensure that business opportunities for entrants can be established at the same time.

In 2008 the Kent Academy, hosted by Hadlow College was the first in the South-East to hold its Awards Ceremony. Several members of this Academy have already enjoyed success with some being awarded tenancies and others working with the Ring of Agricultural Machinery in Sussex and Kent (RAMSAK) on a grazing project.

References

External links

Agriculture in the United Kingdom

Companies

Conservation

Government
and regulation

History

Agricultural Revolution British timber trade Celtic field Common land Corn Laws Diggers Dutch barn Enclosure Haughley Experiment Highland Clearances Highland Potato Famine Lowland Clearances Napier Commission Rationing Run rig Rural Reconstruction Association Scottish Agricultural Revolution Swing Riots Victory garden Women's Land Army

Foot-and-mouth	1967 2001 2007

Nations and regions

England	Agriculture in London Cuisine Cornwall Devon Fishing

Scotland	Animal breeds Shetland Crofting Scottish Crofting Foundation Cuisine Factor Fishing Royal Highland Show

Wales	Cuisine Royal Welsh Show Tŷ unnos

Non-governmental
organisations

Unions	Farmers' Union of Wales National Farmers Union (England and Wales) National Farmers Union of Scotland Ulster Farmers' Union Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster

British Egg Industry Council British Poultry Council Country Land and Business Association Fresh Start Initiative Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences James Hutton Institute Museums Museum of English Rural Life National Museum of Rural Life National Non-Food Crops Centre Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre Rothamsted Research Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland Soil Association Tenant Farmers Association Universities and colleges CAFRE Royal Agricultural University Scotland's Rural College

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