Plaid Cymru Farming Minister, Elin Jones AM is encouraging young farmers from across Wales to apply for support under an innovative Welsh Assembly Government scheme. The application window for the second year of the Young Entrants Support Scheme (YESS) opened today (Monday 18th October).
Last year YESS exceeded its target of supporting 100 young entrants. The scheme gives support to new entrants to farming under the age of 40 who possess adequate skills and competence, are setting-up as head of the holding for the first time, or have set-up as head of holding for the first time within the previous 12 months.
The assistance package available under the scheme will include all or part of the following:
- a one off grant payment for capital investment for expenses incurred when a young entrant is setting-up as head of holding for the first time;
- access to a dedicated Young Entrants’ Business Enabler Service, which will advise on training, knowledge transfer and joint venture opportunities as well as matching young entrants with appropriate established farmers who wish to explore different working patterns e.g. share farming, joint ventures, etc, and;
- access to funded mentoring services from established farmers.
- The window for the second round of applications will close on 20 December 2010.
Plaid Cymru AM and Welsh farming Minister Elin Jones said:
“I’m very pleased to be able to invite applications for the YESS scheme’s second year from young entrants from across Wales.
“I’m particularly keen to encourage applications from young women and from other under-represented groups within the farming industry.
“The Young Entrants Support Scheme will play an important part in ensuring that the farming industry in Wales has a long, successful and ultimately sustainable future ahead of it.
“As Rural Affairs Minister, my overriding priority is to create a sustainable and profitable farming industry in Wales. The continued success of the family farm is at the very heart of our strategy to achieve this.”
