County farms open doors for next generation of farmers: ‘Any chance you get, you should take it’
6th July 2025
A young farmer starting out on a county council tenancy in Staffordshire has shared his view that council farms are playing a vital role in supporting the next generation of British farmers.
Tom Chapman has just launched a wool collection business from his new base at one of Staffordshire County Council’s farm holdings in Standon Bowers. He took on the 50-acre farm in October 2024 and now shepherds around 200 sheep.
Having grown up on a dairy farm in Warwickshire, with parents from farming families, Tom always knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps.
The 34-year-old farmer said: “What I love the most is being able to share it with my three children as they grow up. I spent most of my childhood in a lambing shed and around sheep and just became absolutely obsessed with them, really.”
The wool from Tom’s farm is collected, processed and made into carpets and a range of other wool-based products.
‘Any chance you get, you should take it’
Since moving to the farm last year, Tom has already quadrupled the size of his flock.
Tom said: “To get onto a council farm as a starter farmer, it’s one of the only real ways to get there. There’s a lot less estates that have tenanted farms now.
“The councils held onto their farms, which Staffordshire has done really well. That’s really good for the next generation, because there’s not many opportunities and the land prices are really high. It’s really hard to start off, and any chance you get, you should take it with both hands.”
Staffordshire County Council’s farms estate consists of 63 equipped tenanted farms, along with additional rural properties and land, covering approximately 6,500 acres.
These holdings are made available both to new entrants and to those looking to progress in their farming careers. The majority are dairy units, with others focused on beef and sheep rearing and a small portion in arable production.
Tenants are encouraged to farm sustainably and contribute to environmental and biodiversity goals while also developing successful and innovative rural enterprises.
‘Opportunity to build a sustainable future in agriculture’
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “Supporting the next generation of farmers is a key priority for us. Our county farms estate gives people like Tom the opportunity to build a sustainable future in agriculture – something that’s becoming increasingly difficult without access to land.
“We’re proud to continue investing in this historic service, which not only helps young farmers get started but also supports local food production, rural skills and environmental stewardship across Staffordshire.”
Staffordshire County Council has been offering rented farms since 1908, with a focus on stock rearing and dairy production. The estate expanded after the 1919 Land Settlement Act, which aimed to provide returning servicemen with a fresh start through agricultural opportunities.
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