Ambitious entrepreneurs who fancy forging a new career as a farmer are being given the chance to fulfil their dreams thanks to a successful local authority initiative being run in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire County Council’s county farms programme might not be new – it has been in existence since the early part of the 20th century – but while many other authorities have cashed in on their land assets to survive difficult times, the county is endeavouring to make it easier than ever for people to get their first foothold on the farming ladder.

Having committed to retaining its 8,000–acre county farm estate comprising 117 farms some time back, the council is now offering lengthier leases at competitive rates for those interested in entering the world of agriculture.

The council, which is regarded as a national leader in terms of running county farms, wants to encourage ambitious prospective tenants for its farm holdings and has also developed its portfolio to make it easier for new-starters as well as those keen to progress to the next level.

A new policy gives starter tenants on farms of 60 to 90 acres rental agreements of 10 years, an increase from the previous six, giving them more time to grow their business to the next stage.

Successful farmers can then progress to a 90 acre or larger farm, with tenancy agreements for these holdings increasing from 12 to 16 years.

Interest in county farms has never been higher it would seem and at a recent open day for two tenancies that became available, more than 60 prospective rural entrepreneurs turned up to find out more, while 138 people applied for details.

Cabinet member for assets and the environment, Coun Mark Winnington who is himself a farmer, said the level of interest was an endorsement of Staffordshire’s commitment to retain its county farm estate.

“A lot of counties have had them historically,” he said. “But every time there’s a financial crisis, as there is at the moment, there’s pressure to sell them - so they are becoming less common than they used to be.

“Part of Cheshire is looking to sell theirs but we’re very pleased in Staffordshire that we’ve made a conscious decision to keep them.”

Coun Winnington believes interest is high due to an increased awareness of and interest in farming and food production.

He added: “Over the last ten years or so with programmes on television like River Cottage people are taking more interest in food, how it is grown and how they can contribute.

“And people more interested in growing their own food and getting into food production.

“I think we have got through the sixties, seventies and eighties where people were an asset-oriented generation but now they realise they have to live a life as well as what they can own. We are going back to real life.”

However any first-time farmers are being warned a life in agriculture is no bed of roses and for the latest two tenancies that became available people with agricultural experience or those looking to diversify and build up a second rural business were Staffordshire’s prime targets when it came to advertising them.

“It’s not quite as nice as it seems on the television,” said Coun Winnington. “There are days when it is teeming down, cold, wet and dark and if you’re milking cattle one ends up kicking you in the face.

“Having said that you have some fantastic times as well and you tend to remember the good times rather than the bad. I have been a farmer for more than 40 years, for most of my life, and I wouldn’t swap it. Sometimes it is not pretty but it is fulfilling.”

Aspiring farmers also need to be aware of just how challenging and difficult the agricultural industry is, according to Coun Winnington and, as in any industry some parts are performing better than others.

“It is a struggle but farming has been a struggle for the past 20 years,” he said. “At the moment all industry is struggling so we are no better or worse than anyone else.

“Farming is a business too and we have got excellent farmers who are into diversification. Rather than producing food they are looking at the market and thinking about what food to supply. People can make a lot of money and enjoy it too.

“Dairy is suffering, It doesn’t give any room for investment, in a very small way or large way, and we’ve lost a lot of family dairy units. The corn side good but costs such as diesel and fertilizer are going up. But you need to do some sort of educational training before you decide to be a farmer. You also need enthusiasm and commitment. It is not a five day a week job, it is 24-seven.”

Staffordshire County Council is currently in the process of shortlisting applicants for the latest two farms to become available, an 87 acre farm just outside Stafford and a 60 acre holding near Gnosall.

“Sixty acres gives people a start,” added Coun Winnington. “If they like it and want to progress they can go on. Hopefully this policy will keep a churn of people.

“We are giving people the chance to grow as a business.”