One of the first young farmers to benefit from the Welsh Assembly Government’s innovative scheme designed to offer support, guidance and grant aid to encourage young people in Wales into the farming industry has been paid a visit by Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones.
The five-year Young Entrants Support Scheme (YESS) achieved its target of supporting a minimum of 100 young entrants in the first year, with 114 successful applicants being accepted. Over £1.5m of grant money has been committed, which is supported by over £2.7m of private sector leverage.
Matthew Vaughan, 27, is one of the first farmers to receive support under YESS. He started farming with his father Richard in 2000 on the family farm near Bwlch, Brecon, in mid Wales. He now farms in partnership with his father, and took over as head of holding with a majority share in the business in 2009.
Matthew secured a £15,000 grant from YESS towards a £32,125 investment to provide additional buildings and cattle pens which will enable him to expand his business activities, maximise his output, and improve the farm’s profitability in order to secure his and his partner’s future within the farming industry.
The farm achieved full organic status in May 2010, and Matthew is currently in the process of applying to join Glastir – the Assembly Government’s new sustainable land management scheme for Wales.
Speaking at Matthew’s farm in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones said:
“I’m very pleased to have been able to visit Matthew and his family to see for myself how our innovative Young Entrants Support Scheme is making a positive difference for young farmers across Wales.
“One of my key priorities as Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister is to create a sustainable and profitable farming industry in Wales. Encouraging young people into the farming industry and supporting the next generation of farmers to remain within the industry and succeed the current generation of farmers will be crucial if we are to ensure the continued success of the family farm, which is at the very heart of our strategy to build a sustainable agricultural industry in Wales.
“The YESS scheme is a key part of our efforts to help develop a sustainable agricultural base for the industry in Wales for decades to come.
“Young farmers like Matthew represent a new generation who will use their energy and ingenuity to take the Welsh agricultural industry forward into a sustainable and successful future and I congratulate him on becoming one of the first young farmers to benefit from the YESS scheme.”
Matthew said:
“The YESS scheme is a great opportunity for young farmers to invest in their future. I would strongly encourage all eligible farmers to make use of this support to fulfil their business aspirations.”
Matthew is also benefiting from the advice and support of Glasnant Morgan, his YESS scheme Mentor. Mr Morgan has over 40 years of farming experience, and farms near Talybont-ar-Wysg near Brecon with his wife and son.
The mentor will play a crucial underpinning role to the success of the YESS scheme. Glasnant will provide Matthew with advice using his extensive knowledge of the farming industry, to support Matthew to develop not only his practical skills, also by exploring the potential of utilising different sustainable grassland management systems to meet the modern farming business requirements..
Matthew’s Mentor, Glasnant Morgan said:
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of a scheme that supports the future of our industry and hope that by passing on my experience I can help ensure that the future of the farming industry in Wales is left in capable hands.”
The window for applications for the scheme’s second year is currently open, and the Rural Affairs Minister is encouraging potential young entrants into the farming industry to apply for support.
The Minister said:
“I am hugely encouraged by the success of the YESS scheme during the first year. I have been impressed by the quality and variety of many of the applications.
“The scheme is now open for applications for 2011-12. The scheme is open to young farmers already within the industry, as well as for those young people who not, but are considering entering the farming industry for the first time. I want to encourage as many of these potential young farmers as possible to consider applying for support under the YESS scheme.
“I especially want to encourage young people from under-represented backgrounds – especially young women – to come forward and apply for support.
“I remain fully committed to doing all that I can to support the next generation of farmers, so that we ensure Wales’ farming industry has a sustainable future ahead of it.”
