Cefnogaeth Cyswllt Ffermio yn sicrhau llwyddiant menter pwmpenni

November 21, 2024

Trialling different pumpkin-growing techniques in the first season of a pick-your-own (PYO) farm diversification has helped a new entrant farming business manage risk in that all important foundation year, and informed decision making for the 2025 season.

Farming Connect stepped in with advice and funding when Matt Brooks and Laura Pollock broadened their 114-acre enterprise into horticulture.

The couple took on the tenancy of Lower House Farm, a Monmouthshire County Council farm at Llanfair Discoed, in February 2023.

Neither had family backgrounds in farming but Matt had worked in agriculture since leaving school and had ambitions to farm in his own right. Laura’s career centred on business psychology and team development but she shared his passion for producing food.

“We didn’t realise at that time that tenanted farms were a thing, it opened the door to new opportunities for us to get into farming so we started applying for tenancies,’’ Laura explains.