Conservative Council Forms Business Support Links to Boost Rural Enterprise

Staffordshire dairy farmers who are starting out in the industry could benefit from improved links between the Conservative controlled County Council and a business support organisation.

County farmer James Tattersall, a tenant on a holding near Stafford, hosted a networking impact session where other farmers could discuss innovations and challenges they face day-to-day with growing their businesses.  The event also helped James with ideas and advice to drive his business forward.

DairyCo, an independent industry information and support organisation, coordinated the session at James’s holding.  It is James’s first county farm tenancy having been successful in gaining the 66 acre holding in March 2011.

County farmer Giles Bristol, who attended the session, is a recent addition to the county farms estate, gaining a tenancy of a 61-acre dairy holding near Penkridge in September 2012.  He said the event gave him a good insight into business planning and progression.

Giles, who moved to Staffordshire from Gloucestershire because of the opportunities to get his business off the ground through county farms, said, “Today has been really beneficial to me.  Being able to access James’s business demonstrates how successful you can be, as he is probably around 18 months further down the line to where I am currently.  Seeing how he has managed and overcome some problems gives me something positive to take away and means I’m already ahead of the game.”

Giles added that he had come to Staffordshire as it had good farming potential and because of the proactive and supportive county farms team.  The Harper Adams College graduate was formerly a dairy consultant and decided to use his industry knowledge to help start his own business.

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet support member for environment and rural affairs Gill Heath said, “We have some very successful entrepreneurs on our county farms and it is pleasing to see them share knowledge and expertise for the benefit of others.

“It is important that we can link up with other organisations which support business to make our drive to improve the economy as effective as possible.

“Our county farms are a valuable asset to us and to Staffordshire’s rural economy and we want to build on the successes of our tenants, as their hard work benefits the wider taxpayer in the long run.”

DairyCo’s Staffordshire extension officer Nicky Fair said, “We want to support British dairy farmers in running profitable and sustainable businesses.  This event was about helping people to think strategically about their business but also enable them to share experiences, best practice and how to overcome problems.  Everyone attending was very open about the day-to-day running of their business and so it was really rewarding to find out people’s different experiences which could well benefit others.”