Life changing opportunity to become a farmer in the Fens - tenant vacancies in March and Ramsey

An open day to give a taste of what life might be like as a tenant farmer takes place on February 12 after four farms came up for rent in the county - three of them locally.

They are:

• Ransonmoor II Farm, near March, a single block of root growing land totalling 287 acres, including buildings and a modern three bed bungalow.

• Stonebridge Farm, near March, a seven acre holding offering an opportunity to create a rural enterprise.

• Plantation Farm, near Ramsey, totalling 197 acres with a range of buildings and a three bed bungalow.

• Longfield Farm, on the edge of Cambridge, totalling 141 acres of combinable land with the option of a three bed farmhouse.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s farms estate is the largest of its kind in England and Wales with more than 33,000 acres and is looking for tenants for later this year.

Robbie Dean said that taking on a tenant farm last year fulfilled a life-long dream.

“So far it has been very hard work but I have enjoyed the challenge. I would urge anyone who wants to start farming, or to take their farming business to the next level, to apply,” he said.

Chatteris tenant farmer George Munns said: “It’s a great opportunity. They tend to come up due to retirement. I took on the farm after my dad so it has always been in my life. I can’t imagine another way of going to work, I love it.”

The council is holding a viewing day on February 12 with business plans from applicants due by March 4.

Despite a tough economic climate in the agricultural sector they expect interest to remain high.

Applicants should be able to show they have sufficient experience in farming and are normally asked to show they have undertaken some formal training in the enterprise they propose to undertake.

Applicants should not be refused on these grounds alone if similar training and experience has been obtained in other ways.

For details visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/countyfarms.