Rural Payments and Services

Participants in a programme designed to encourage new entrants into farming have commented on its successes.

An evaluation of the Scottish Government’s Starter Farm Initiative shows that it has provided opportunities to run a farm business, and valuable skills and experience to enable participants secure future tenancies and further their agricultural careers.

To date, the Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) Group, which supported the governance of the initiative, has facilitated entry to over 80 new entrants by providing 122 land opportunities across more than 7,000 hectares of land.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon met members of the FONE Group and new entrants who are farming on Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute, to hear about their journey into the sector.

Background:

Supporting the next generation of farmers - full press release (gov.scot)

Evaluation of Starter Farm Initiative - publication (gov.scot)

Further information on Scottish Land Matching Services (SLMS)

Further information on Farming opportunities for new entrants (FONE)