A young farmer who secured a 15-year tenancy on a hit TV show is urging policymakers to create more opportunities for newcomers to the industry. Sara Jenkins, 28, won the latest season of Channel 4’s *Our Dream Farm*, highlighting the significant barriers facing young people trying to access farmland.
Her call comes as a new report from the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) warns of “scary” figures regarding the aging farming workforce, with the median age of farm decision-makers in Wales at 61. Only 3% of farmers are under 35.
Jenkins and her partner, Ioan Jones, are now tenants of Llyndy Isaf, a 248-hectare (613-acre) hill farm owned by the National Trust in Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia. They secured the tenancy after years of unsuccessful attempts to find land.
“We’re very lucky,” Jenkins stated. “It’s a massive positive knowing that we have the tenancy for 15 years.” She added that renting was the “only realistic option” due to soaring land prices, partly influenced by corporations buying land for carbon offset schemes.
Jenkins described the current climate for new farmers as “uncertain” and “quite a risk,” referencing ongoing policy changes and subsidies. She appealed to both the Welsh and Westminster governments to “think about young farmers.”
Recent farmer protests and discontent within the industry could deter young people from pursuing agricultural careers, she warned. “I wouldn’t blame any young person that doesn’t want to go into farming because of all the commotion,” Jenkins said, but expressed confidence that the public would eventually recognize the vital role of British farmers.
The FUW’s report, launched at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in Llanelwedd, Powys, outlines 40 recommendations to attract and retain young talent. The union emphasized the need to safeguard food security, address environmental challenges, and sustain rural communities.
Teleri Fielden, an FUW policy officer, echoed Jenkins’ concerns, calling the aging workforce statistics “scary.” “It’s a bit concerning because we’ve had a generation that have been told don’t go into farming – it’s too hard,” she commented.
Key challenges identified in the report include prohibitive land prices, limited access to finance, insecure tenancies, and the sale of county council farms. The FUW also highlighted a significant lack of succession planning, with 21% of surveyed farmers not planning to retire.
Recommendations for the Welsh government include ensuring the new Sustainable Farming Scheme benefits young farmers and increasing support for agricultural colleges. The report also urges established farmers and landowners to offer more secure, longer-term tenancies and mentorship.
“Give the next generation those opportunities,” urged Fielden, suggesting simple actions like mentoring, sharing skills, or lending equipment. “Turning up with a little bit of help and just giving young farmers that boost to say ‘yes you can do it and we’re here for you’ is really important.”
Caleb Vater, who became the youngest person elected to an FUW committee at 15, expressed concern about friends choosing not to enter agriculture. The 18-year-old farmer from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, called for greater emphasis on farming education in schools.
Sara Roberts, a 28-year-old agricultural lecturer at Coleg Sir Gar, emphasized the need to shift perceptions of farming careers. “The stereotype of a farmer in his flat cap… really doesn’t portray what it’s about at the moment,” she said. Roberts noted that the industry now requires drone operators, technical specialists, and data analysts, in addition to traditional roles.
A Welsh government spokesperson stated that programs like “Start to Farm” support new entrants. “The new Sustainable Farming Scheme has been designed to be accessible to all farmers, including new entrants and tenant farmers,” they added, aiming to attract individuals with “energy and fresh ideas.”
