Report on New Farming Starter Opportunities on Publicly Owned Land
This report shows the steps all public bodies who possess land can take to open up farming to a new generation.
Annex 4
Starter Farm Application and Scoring Template
(i) This template can be amended to suit the needs of the particular Public Body. This can include amending the desired outputs and the weighting of the scoring categories.
(ii) The template is designed as such that it does not exclude established businesses should a suitable New Entrant not be identified.
Your Organisation
Agricultural Grazing Opportunity
Land at:
XXXXXXX
Introduction
This section to be amended to suit individual organisations
Forest Enterprise Scotland, which is an agency of Forestry Commission Scotland, manages the National Forest Estate ( NFE) on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
The National Forest Estate is one of Scotland's greatest assets, providing economic, social and environmental benefits to the people of Scotland and FES, amongst many other things, have a duty to protect and enhance our environmental features. We will also take opportunities to increase agricultural use of the Estate where this is consistent with environmental objectives.
We work with the Scottish Government to deliver the Scottish Forestry Strategy and also contribute to many aspects of wider Scottish Government policy such as energy, environment and climate change, biodiversity, healthy living, rural transport, tourism and education.
More information is available on our website at www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland
Scottish Government has a desire to see publicly owned land used to give opportunities to New Entrants to Agriculture and those progressing from New Entrant status. Forest Enterprise Scotland has already contributed to this by the creation of a number of Starter Farms. It has now been recognised that the first foot on the farming ladder is a level below the FES model of Starter Farms and therefore public bodies are being asked to give consideration to New Entrants on other agricultural land letting opportunities.
We will do this by weighting application in favour of suitably qualified New Entrants and Progressors wherever we think they can contribute to our wider objectives.
Grazing Opportunity.
Land at Someplace, Town,.
We are offering an agricultural opportunity at Someplace where Organisation consider that their environmental (amend as appropriate) objectives can be met by way of low input/output farming methods and invite proposals from parties who would be interested in undertaking complimentary grazing over these areas, subject to the following conditions.
The area(s) will be offered initially on a 5 year SLDT.
Subject to satisfactory performance FES retain the right to negotiate with the winning bidders with a view to converting the lease to a 10 year (total) LDT. (remove if necessary)
Organisation considers that fencing and other fixed equipment to be in suitable condition for the purpose of the lease, however bidders are to satisfy themselves of this and will be responsible for maintaining the fixed equipment for the duration of the lease.
Where bidders consider that additional fixed equipment is required then they should make that known in their application.
Farming methods must be low input/output in order to encourage and promote desired flora and fauna.
This is expected to include. Adapt to fit the opportunity in question
- All grassland must remain as pasture. No reseeding by any means will be permitted.
- No artificial fertilisers to be applied.
- No organic manures to be imported from off the holding.
- Grazing will be by sheep only and must be hardy native breeds.
- Grazing will be at a maximum of 0.3 Livestock Units per Hectare (equivalent to 54 ewes).
Cutting, burning or any other mechanical intervention will not be permitted, unless authorised in advance in writing.
The Area
The grazing area extends to approximately XX.XX ha as is marked in pink on the attached plan.
Please note that the hatch area on the plan is specifically excluded due to FES's desire to encourage natural regeneration of woodland fringe
Scoring
Proposals will be scored against environmental & agricultural objectives and rental offer using the undernoted matrix.
Please start to type in the grey box and it will expand to fit as required.
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Scoring range | Score ORG USE ONLY |
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| 1. Grounds for mandatory rejection | |||
| 1.1 Animal welfare | Are you currently banned from keeping livestock or have you been subject to an animal cruelty conviction. | ||
| 1.1 Answer | Yes/No | Pass/Fail | |
| 1.2. Insurance | Do you have or will you obtain prior to entry suitable Public Liability Insurance cover Min £5m) | ||
| 1.2.Answer | Yes/No | Pass/Fail | |
| 2.1 New Entrant Status |
0 - 5 - No response or totally inadequate |
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| 2.1 - Please explain you current farming status & experience and how it fits with our desire to help New Entrants |
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| 2.2 Exit Strategy |
0 - 5 - No response or totally inadequate |
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| 2.2 Please explain how you intend to consolidate and progress in your farming career. | |||
| 2.3 Farming System |
0 - 5 - No response or totally inadequate |
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| 2.3 Please describe the Farming System which you propose giving details of the ancillary facilities which you have to help deliver this: | |||
| 3 Rent |
0 - 5 - No response or totally inadequate |
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| 3.1. Rental amount: | Please insert rental offer. This should be the total per annum. | £ | |
| 3.2. Rental Justification: |
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| Total Score ( Org use only) | Maximum 100 points | ||
Answers may be continued on a separate sheet but must be cross reference to the paragraph numbering used above.
Interviews - Org reserves the right to call a shortlist of candidates to interview. Should interviews be held scoring may be amended according to interview performance.
Should interviews be required these will be held on XXXXX at the address below.
Applications to be sent to:
Organisation
Address
Applications to be received by 5p.m. on xx/xx/xxxx and marked “Application for xxxxxxxxx Grazings, not to be opened until 9a.m. on xx/xx/xx”
An exert from this document follows which indicates the scoring system used by FES
| B 1 | What is your motivation? Please provide details of relevant experience and qualifications which have led you to decide why you want to set up a new farming business. What skills do you bring which will allow you to overcome the challenges and demands this new business will involve? |
0 - 35 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-9 Major Reservations or constraints 10-18 Some Reservations or Constraints 19-27 Fully Compliant 28-35 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 2 | Please provide information on how you plan to source any additional income, integrate this into and compliment your farming policy. Think about balancing farm and supplementary income streams, the diversity of sources, and any changes over time. | 0 - 30 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-7 Major Reservations or constraints 8-15 Some Reservations or Constraints 16-23 Fully Compliant 24-30 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 3 | Applicants might include in the answer the requirements of the tenancy agreement, provision of information, and public access. We are also prepared to consider directly funding some activities. |
0 - 20 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-4 Major Reservations or constraints 5-9 Some Reservations or Constraints 10-15 Fully Compliant 16-20 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 4 | Include in the detail explanation of how you will liaise with FES and reference the requirements of the LDT. Provide relevant references to training in relation in pest control, firearms or shotgun licence, safe use and storage of any weapons or pesticides. FES is interested in detail on the range of controls you will use and any hierarchy with which they will be employed. Note that use of firearms will be solely at the discretion of FES. Any such use will require prior written permission and must abide by the FES firearms policy. |
0 - 10 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-2 Major Reservations or constraints 3-4 Some Reservations or Constraints 5-7 Fully Compliant 8-10 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 5 | Think about how you could help FES in sharing good practice about starter farms and any examples of your experience in publicity or open days |
0 - 15 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-4 Major Reservations or constraints 5-7 Some Reservations or Constraints 8-11 Fully Compliant 12-15 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 6 | FES is interested in expenditure and employment locally, while we understand opportunities will be limited, innovation, part time work, work experience, apprentice work, might all be possible. | 0 - 20 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-4 Major Reservations or constraints 5-9 Some Reservations or Constraints 10-15 Fully Compliant 16-20 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 7 | The Health & Safety Executive web site has guidance on good health and safety practice on farms, your answer should explain what will be relevant to your farming proposal. | 0 - 20 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-4 Major Reservations or constraints 5-9 Some Reservations or Constraints 10-15 Fully Compliant 16-20 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 8 | Explain how your training will allow you to undertake the required farming activities. Is there a new activity that you will need to undertake training to do? Interview candidates will be asked to provide certificates. |
0 - 30 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-7 Major Reservations or constraints 8-15 Some Reservations or Constraints 16-23 Fully Compliant 24-30 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 9 | We will look favourably on any specific projects that reduce environmental impacts and also any that favour the biodiversity and habitats found at this location. Consider what support, such as future SRDP and LMO programmes, may be available and is applicable to the farm location. This is also an area where FES will consider funding directly innovative ideas. | 0 - 20 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-4 Major Reservations or constraints 5-9 Some Reservations or Constraints 10-15 Fully Compliant 16-20 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 10 | Your business plan will inform how you will consolidate and move on. Please explain clearly the duration you anticipate the tenancy lasting. What steps will you take prior to vacating the starter farm and how you propose to manage the handover of the unit to the following tenant. | 0 - 20 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-4 Major Reservations or constraints 5-9 Some Reservations or Constraints 10-15 Fully Compliant 16-20 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 11 | Detailed farm policy and business plan: Detail how you intend to farm the starter farm, the type of farming system(s) you wish to implement, and link this to your existing experience. Explain the use of the buildings and any additional equipment you would need to be provided as part of the tenancy. FES will have primary concern for the realistic nature of the capital investment required, favour innovative and diverse ideas, particularly where they support other income or interaction with the public and forestry. It is important however that you fully understand and can justify any such ideas. Include cropping plans, sourcing inputs and outlets for your product(s). Please explain how you see your farming policy developing over the period of the tenancy. Your farming policy should integrate into both your Application Form and Gross Margin/Budget Summary submission. You can use example cropping sheets we provide or any of the widely available financial programs available in the market and we welcome the use of these in the submission. |
0 - 100 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-24 Major Reservations or constraints 25-50 Some Reservations or Constraints 51-75 Fully Compliant 76-100 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 12 | Gross Margins and Summary Annual Budget: Please produce Gross Margin Budgets for each proposed enterprise, a Summary Annual Budget and year on year cashflow covering a period of five years, to show your cropping/stocking plans and financial appraisal of the farm. If using published data from the likes of SAC or John Nix applicants are advised to remember that all farms differ in nutritional status and productivity. |
0 - 50 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-12 Major Reservations or constraints 13-25 Some Reservations or Constraints 26-38 Fully Compliant 39-50 Exceeds Requirements |
| B 13 | Rental Offer Please provide justification of your rent. This section will be judged against realism, affordability, flexibility and the justification you have provided. |
0 - 50 | 0 No response or totally inadequate 1-12 Major Reservations or constraints 13-25 Some Reservations or Constraints 26-38 Fully Compliant 39-50 Exceeds Requirements |
| Total Available B.1 - B.13 | 420 | ||
| Note to candidates selected for interview:- We will revise our scoring of the applications sections 3.1 to 3.13 based on the interview and the ability to answer questions regarding the application form and business plan submitted. The marking system above will remain valid. |
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