CLA Rural Business Uncovered

In this bonus episode, we bring you an interview with Mark Tufnell, the newly elected President of the CLA as of 11 November 2021.

Mark, who owns and manages a traditional estate in the Cotswolds, has been actively involved in the CLA for over 20 years at branch and regional level now lays out his priorities that will be at the heart of his tenure. In this exclusive interview Mark shares with us his insights from COP26, how the CLA can ensure the government hears the voice of its members in development of new schemes such as Environment Land Management schemes, and the role his estate plays in the conservation of the grey partridge.

To learn more about Mr Tufnell’s priorities for his two-year presidency visit the CLA website.

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We are delighted to offer a podcast that will be highly relevant and informative for any landowner or farmer considering planning a building project and what you need to consider insurance wise.

Landowners and farmers are always looking at diversification opportunities as a way of generating new income streams. These projects often involve developing and making changes to existing farm buildings which will almost certainly require a change to your insurance policy.

Esther Kane, Head of Rural at CLA Insurance, shares with us how best to plan a building project, the different stages within a project, and how to ensure you have the right cover in place at the right time to give you the protection you need.

We are also joined by Freddie Braithwaite-Exley, from CLA Insurance, who explains the different types of conversions and projects that are often undertaken, the changes within the insurance market, and the unique package that CLA Insurance can offer CLA members if they are undertaking this type of activity.

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In recent years, businesses and governments have increased their efforts to try to measure and quantify the importance of the environment to them. Whether this is healthy soil for growing food, trees that capture carbon, or providing space for wildlife, the concept of natural capital can start to put a monetary value on these benefits that nature and the environment provide.

What will you hear?

Beilby Forbes Adam is taking on the custodianship of Escrick Park Estate, a diversified business in North Yorkshire. Beilby will share with you the role of environmental management within the Estate and how this might change compared to current practices. 

Harry Greenfield, CLA Senior Land Use Policy Adviser, outlines the importance of natural capital for CLA members and how government policy, such as the environmental land management schemes, supports the natural capital agenda. 

We are also joined by Jason Beedell, Director of Research in Strutt & Parker’s research department, who will explain their work on natural capital accounting, which can help you to develop a long-term strategy and compare your financial returns with your environmental costs. 

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With major changes in agricultural policy, in particular the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme, it is expected that there will be some restructuring within farming businesses and the industry as a whole. This will allow room for new entrants and for businesses to become more efficient through the sharing of resources or by expanding and taking on more land.

In this episode, Andrew Shirley, CLA Chief Surveyor and Eirwen Williams, Director at Menter a Busnes, discuss what it is to be a new entrant, what the government should do to encourage them, and the practical, business and soft skills required to thrive in the agricultural industry. Estate Director John Varley at Clinton Devon Estates shares with us the importance of creating a support system around land managers and farmers that joins up mentoring and education. We are also joined by Sarah Palmer, AGRI Manager at NFYCF, who explains the importance of having a good robust business plan, and for new entrants, the value of taking advice from professionals where necessary.

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In this episode we are joined by Sally Bendall, Managing Director of Hollow Trees Farm in Suffolk, a working farm which also has a highly popular farm shop, café and deli, a family trail with play areas for children. Sally shares with us the challenges and the lessons learnt along the farm’s diversification journey, but most importantly how the family have kept the farm at the heart of the business since 1986. 

Alison Provis, CLA Regional Surveyor, adds to the discussion and outlines the key things to consider when embarking on a new business venture such as market research, practical considerations like planning, but also the importance of innovation and being able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

CLA members can access the CLA Asset Management Plan and template mentioned in the episode by visiting the CLA website. WWW.CLA.ORG.UK

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With countries and organisations all in a race to achieve net zero emissions, carbon markets are projected to increase 15-fold, with most of that growth estimated to come from nature-based solutions: tree planting, peatland restoration and – potentially – soil carbon. This opens up a huge opportunity for landowners and farmers across England and Wales.

In this podcast, Alice Ritchie, CLA Climate Change Lead, shares with us the different, nature-based carbon removals available, the current status of carbon markets, and how these markets might intersect with future land use policy.

We are also joined by Harry Grocott, CEO and co-founder of Treeconomy, who takes us through the development of the private carbon market, the status of carbon prices, and what landowners need to know to get involved.

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In this week's episode we explore the role of agri-tech in improving productivity and sustainability, the opportunities for the future, and advice for CLA members looking to implement the use of technology within their rural business. 

Claire Hodge, Head of Crops at the Agri Epi Centre, shares with us how new technology is trialled and tested, and how we need pioneers to push the industry forward. 

Jake Freestone, Farm Manager at Overbury Enterprises, explains the benefits of agri-tech in working towards net zero and the change in productivity he has seen since adopting these technologies on his farm. 

We are also joined by Adam Slate, Orchard Innovation Manager from Bardsley England, who tells us about his experience as an Agri Epi Satellite Farmer and the importance of collaboration across the industry

Useful resources mentioned in today’s episode include:

Agri-Epi Centre - https://agri-epicentre.com

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2021/03/30/the-farming-investment-fund-an-overview

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In this episode we will discuss the threats and challenges of rural crime and how you can better protect yourself, your family, and your business against criminals trying to exploit you for their own personal gain.

CLA Rural Adviser Libby Bateman highlights the three key challenges land and business owners face in rural crime: cybercrime, wildlife crime, and machinery theft. 

Rebecca Chapman, from the North East Business Resilience Centre, shares with us the biggest risk for landowners in terms of cyber-attack and the steps in place to help business resilience. 

Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly, of the National Wildlife Crime Unit, discusses the main issues of wildlife crime, and what farmers and landowners can do to prevent this from happening on their land. 

We are also joined by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead on machinery theft, Superintendent Andy Huddleston from Northumbria Police, who explains the prevalence of machinery theft and what manufacturers and insurance companies can do to tackle the problem

Useful webpages mentioned in today’s episode include:

The Business Resilience Centre - https://www.nebrcentre.co.uk

Police Cyber Alarm - https://cyberalarm.police.uk

National Rural Crime Network - www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net

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This week we are joined by CLA member Caroline Lowsley-Williams who has diversified her beautiful family home and country estate, Chavenage House, into a location for TV and film productions including the BBC1 series Poldark and The Pale Horse. 

Caroline shares with us how they started out as a film location, new business ventures filming has brought with it to the house and estate, and how to tap into the new trend of teletourism. 

We are also joined by Thomas Mason, CLA Rural Surveyor, who explains the importance of securing alternative income streams and the practicalities to consider when venturing into this industry.

To learn more about Chavenage House and visit https://chavenage.com

To find out more about Historic Houses visit - https://www.historichouses.org

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As people in Wales head to the polls on Thursday 6 May it is worth reflecting on what comes next for rural Wales. In this podcast we explore what the Senedd needs to do over the next five years to grow the Welsh rural economy.  

CLA Cymru’s Chair Rory McLaggan, who runs the Merthyr Mawr Estate, shares with us his thoughts on what would make operating his business easier, the successes of the Welsh Government and the role farmers and landowners have in mitigating climate change. 

We are also joined by Angharad Owen, who with her brother manages their third-generation family business which includes a holiday park and farming near Abergele. Angharad discusses the challenges of the current planning system and how to keep young talent in rural Wales.  

Rory and Angharad represent the distinct characteristics of North and South Wales. CLA Cymru Director Nigel Hollett, who brings a wealth of experience in both the private and public sector, provides his perspective and reveals CLA Cymru's lobbying priorities. 

CLA Cymru has distributed its manifesto calling on Senedd election candidates to prioritise our political messages ahead of the approaching Senedd elections in 6 May. You can download our manifesto here.

To watch the CLA Cymru husting recording please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB4A4ckF5VA

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