Farming opportunities for new entrants (FONE)

Overview

This group was set up to develop a farming opportunities for new entrants programme. The group was established in 2016.

Priorities for 2023

  1. Make available 600 hectares of publicly owned land to New Entrants.
  2. Take forward governance of Scotland’s Land Matching Service.
  3. Extend the scope of the Land Matching Service to cover Crofting and work closely with the Crofting Commission to look at alternative options to Crofting sub-lets, working with stakeholders to develop a consistent narrative of what is possible in terms of making best use of Crofts and attracting New Entrants.
  4. Advocate the support of New Entrants in future policy, ensuring that future support recognises the needs of New and Young Entrants and represents their interests in future policy.
  5. Continue beyond the public sector, highlighting opportunities to private estates and owner occupiers.
  6. Facilitate the promotion of case studies and other promotional material to include further development of general guidance and signposting for New Entrants.
  7. Cabinet Secretary to continue to promote the benefits of FONE at key events to maintain momentum.

Members

  • Chair – Henry Graham, National chair of Lantra Scotland, Chair of the Implementation Group for the Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland and Scottish Government’s Education and Training Champion
  • Derek Wilson, Head of Unit in Scottish Government’s Agriculture Transformation in Productivity  
  • Stewart Hendry, Agricultural advisor, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS)
  • Harriet Donald, Land use manager Loch Lomond  andTrossachs National Park; FCS starter farmer Port of Menteith
  • Laura Henderson, SAC consultant and Farm Advisory Service (FAS) new entrants theme leader
  • Penny Montgomerie, Chief executive at Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC)
  • Stephen Young, Head of Policy at Scottish Land and Estates
  • James Mackessack-Leitch​, Scottish Land Commission (SLC)
  • tbc, National Farmers Union Scotand (NFUS) Next Generation Group representative

Documents

Policies

Contact

Farming opportunities for new entrants (FONE) group
c/o Scottish Government
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Saughton House
Edinburgh

Back to top