Farm Step: Want to set up your own green business?

At the Earth Trust Farm in Oxfordshire people and communities can join a new pioneering initiative called Farm Step and get that vital first step on the ladder enabling them to set up their own green, land based, business. 

Jayne Manley, Chief Executive of the Earth Trust explains:

“ Farm Step provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to start their own farming businesses. We believe that there are many people with the enthusiasm and determination to gain the skills, tools and knowledge that will enable us to live more sustainably in future.  If you are such a person we would like to hear from you”.

“Food - its production, distribution and healthy eating is a key theme at the Earth Trust.  The project’s foundations lie in the sound management of the land and encouraging people to get involved and gain the skills needed to produce and distribute good food locally. At the same time our guiding principles are to minimise transport and waste and reduce the consumption and loss of carbon”.  

Farm Step is specifically targeted at people who are currently locked out of farming by land price or lack of skills.  At the Earth Trust we offer land and very favourable tenancy agreement terms as well as the chance to work alongside a community of other like-minded green businesses.  New businesses are practically and financially independent of the Trust and each has a tenancy agreement. With an existing mix of green business on site including a market garden, salad company, honey producer, wood supplier and sheep flock, the Trust is looking for innovative, entrepreneurial businesses that could include anything from small scale animal production to horticulture, soft fruit – or suppliers of wild flowers.    

Current Farm Step businesses include: 

Brightwell Bees | Camilla and Roly | Close to the Veg | The Little Salad Company | Bare Wood | Cultivate
Hear from Roly Puzey of Camilla and Roly, current Farm Step business:

The Earth Trust is inviting proposals from prospective businesses for use of land and infrastructure on its 500 hectares in south Oxfordshire. As well as needing to present a credible business case, potential Farm Step entrants will be selected against three criteria:

1. Sustainable living

Does your business contribute to sustainable living? Will the farming techniques and the business model provide opportunities for wildlife and will they represent clear environmental benefits in terms of minimising resource use and reduction in carbon?

2. Linking people, food & farming

Will the farm enterprise and business model bring people in surrounding communities into a closer relationship with land and with the people and processes associated with food production?

3. Earth Trust community

Does the business fit in well with other enterprises operating on the Earth Trust Farm? Does it increase the diversity of activities at the Earth Trust Centre ? Will it bring added benefits to existing enterprises and Trust activities? Does it compete with Earth Trust activities or is it complementary? Will it increase the experiences the Earth Trust offers visitors?

Farm Step is currently featured in the national publication 'Farmers Weekly'.

Interested?

For more details email Chris Parker or call him on 01865 409416.

Hear from Chris about his role as Head of Land Management at the Earth Trust: