Young farmer Robert, beats tough competition to win tenancy for Yorkshire Water 'starter farm'

Robert, who was working on an arable and Christmas-tree farm in Darlington, said when the call came it “changed his life overnight”.

He said: “I was at work, out in the fields, ploughing, when the call came from Yorkshire Water to say I had the tenancy.

“I couldn’t believe it and thought it was a prank call from one of my friends at first.”

The Next Generation programme aims to support new entrants to the industry by giving them the chance to take on a farm of their own.

After five years, Yorkshire Water will help them find a permanent tenancy elsewhere and Scow Hall Farm will be awarded to another new entrant.

Robert said it was an “absolutely incredible opportunity” and a massive step up the farming ladder.

Part of the utility company’s wider Beyond Nature scheme, which encourages sustainable land management, Robert will be helped with business planning by Yorkshire Water and Nidderdale AONB’s Beyond Nature farming officer, Neil Pickard.

Robert, who grew up on the family smallholding, moved into Scow Hall Farm this week with his girlfriend Nicola Terry.

He said it had been a “manic” week, moving their stuff and his small flock of sheep to the 84-hectare farm near Norwood, which is part of Nidderdale AONB.

In his application, Robert submitted an outline plan for his tenancy. One goal is to expand his flock of Oxford Downs and Cheviot mules and bring in other livestock. He would also like to develop a small campsite.

During his tenancy, Robert will work with Yorkshire Water to improve the farm with environmental measures such as tree planting, land improvement and rebuilding dry stone walls.

With the agricultural sector currently undergoing its biggest shake-up for decades and the new “public money for public goods” payment system coming into place over the next seven years, Robert said farming was the starting point for protecting the environment.

He said: “We work with the environment on the land every day and taking a regenerative approach is the right way for farming to adapt in the future” – an ethos, he said, he

was looking to bring to Scow Hall Farm.

“To have this kind of opportunity at this age is amazing and Yorkshire Water have been really supportive.

“I’m most looking forward to being able to develop Scow Hall into a more sustainable farm and increase my flock to substantial numbers.”

Gaynor Craigie, manager of land and property at Yorkshire Water, said the company had received almost 50 applications to become the first Next Generation tenant.

She said: “Robert really stood out as he showed a great understanding of our vision for land and the Beyond Nature initiative.

“He has an entrepreneurial mindset, understands the challenges we face and is keen to make a positive contribution to the future of land management. It is really exciting to see this programme come to life and I look forward to working with Robert over the next five years.”