Farms in the county have become available to rent on a five year lease which the county council says could be suitable for first time entrepreneurs.
Enthusiastic tenants are being invited to apply for the opportunity to take on one of the Cambridgeshire County Council farms on a five-year farm business tenancy.
The farms range from a starter unit to large, equipped holdings.
Anna Hicks, rural surveyor at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “This is a good opportunity for entrepreneurial and enthusiastic individuals to get onto the farming ladder or for those looking to progress to larger holdings.
“Last year we received a lot of interest in the holdings that were available and the standard of applicants was extremely high.
“It is anticipated that interest will remain high this year despite uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the future of agricultural subsidies.”
Available are:
• Engine Farm in Whittlesey, which comes with a three bedroom bungalow. It is a holding comprising 244 acres of predominately silt clay loam soil. Cropping over the last few years includes potatoes, wheat, sugar beet and rape. The holding has general purpose buildings.
• Black Drove and Station Road Farm in Isleham . It is 225 acres of chalk over clay and silty clay loam soil available as bare land.
• Bulldog Bridge Farm in Littleport which comes with a detached four bedroom house and four general purpose buildings. At 335 acres it is the largest acreage on offer through Cambridgeshire County Council this year.
One of the success stories from 2017 was Lee Smith, who tendered for, and won, a five-year business tenancy at Wolvey Holes Farm in Coveney.
Lee said: “The application process was very thorough and made us think carefully about our business plan.
“Getting the farm has been a great opportunity to expand my business. The county farms team has been very helpful and supportive since we took on the holding.”
• A viewing day for the holdings is on Wednesday February 14. The deadline for tenders is March 9. Interviews are on March 19 and 21. The tenancies start on October 11. Full details are at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/countyfarms.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here