Fresh Start Dairy Academy Launched

UK - A pilot initiative supported by the Prince’s Countryside Fund for new entrants to dairy farming has been launched at Reaseheath College. Called Fresh Start Dairy Academy, the venture offers business training and mentoring, and provides a base point for potential match making, introducing dairy farmers who wish to retire or step back to those who with ambitions to enter the industry.
calendar icon 20 July 2012
clock icon 2 minute read

Developed and managed by Fresh Start, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Dairy Co, Dairy UK and other representation from the farming community, 20 places are available for applicants over 18 years of age. At least two more Fresh Start Dairy Academies are planned for launch elsewhere in the UK in 2013 with support from the Prince’s Countryside Fund.

The Reaseheath College based academy will focus on a series of eight meetings featuring specialist speakers and mentors on business planning, financing, marketing, and entrepreneurial skills. Participants will also be introduced to different routes to start up a business ranging from joint ventures, shared equity partnerships and contract farming to out-right ownership.

After the completion of the academy in February, there will be a specially structured day to help to introduce those with possible opportunities to those entrepreneurs looking for a way in. During and after the academy delivery, other matchmaking routes or potential business opportunities will be highlighted.

Fresh Start Dairy Academy’s Denis Chamberlain commented: “It’s all too easy at this time of real crisis in the dairy sector to forget that there are a large number of enthusiastic individuals who want to enter practical dairy farming. The traditional route to finding a place on the bottom rung via a county council small holding is nowadays virtually none existent, however there are mechanisms to explore other routes which have been successfully implemented in other major dairy farming countries including joint ventures and shared equity arrangements.

“Consequently, we are indebted to the Prince’s Countryside Fund for enabling us to provide this first time opportunity to introduce new entrants to dairy farmers who may be seeking to exit the industry with dignity. The academy will provide potential entrants with access to a wide range of industry professionals at local and national level.”

Mr Chamberlain added: “Fresh Start was set up in 2004 to help find ways for new entrants to start up business in land based sectors. In 2010, Fresh Start successfully trialled a specialist pig academy which attracted over 400 applicants for 20 places. Within several months of completing the course two new pig unit start- ups have been launched with three others looking to progress when possible. If these dairy academies can help even a few into dairy farming, or we can help them along with their planning, then we will have achieved our aim.”

TheCattleSite News Desk

© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.