Grant opportunity offered to young farmers in Wales
Young farming entrepreneurs in Wales looking to set up on their own for the first time could be able to claim a grant of up to £15,000, but they have a short time left to apply, writes Kathryn Lewis.
The Young Entrants Support Scheme is now open and eligible candidates have until November 22 to apply.
The scheme provides support to farmers under 40 years of age who are setting up as the head of the holding for the first time or who have set up as head of the holding within the past 12 months.
This includes sole traders, partnerships, young entrants, majority partnerships, limited companies where the majority shareholder is a young entrant and trusts where the majority beneficiary is a young entrant.
A one-off grant payment would be made for an array of capital items such as machinery, buildings, livestock handling equipment and access to mentoring services. The applicant will be required as part of the application to submit a business development plan in which it must be demonstrated that the holding will be viable within five years after entry into the Yess.
The applicant will also be required to complete a skills assessment and must hold a minimum of an NVQ level 2 qualification in agriculture or subject deemed closely related.
Alternatively, the applicant must demonstrate five years' practical agricultural experience and submit a Personal Development Plan including an objective to achieve an appropriate NVQ level 2 or higher qualification in agriculture or subject closely related within three years after entry into the scheme.
The grant does not cover the purchase, rent or lease of land, livestock, Single Payment Scheme entitlements or farm machinery to be used for contracting activities.
The grant payment will be made in arrears upon successful completion of an approved project for an investment made in setting up as Head of Holding for the first time.
The payment will be 50 per cent of agreed eligible expenditure or maximum grant of £15,000, whichever is the lower figure, e.g. £30,000 agreed eligible expenditure, maximum grant available £15,000.
An additional maximum of £1,000 will be awarded to those undertaking the mentoring services.
* Kathryn Lewis is a land agent with Davis Meade Property Consultants at Oswestry
