Young rural entrepreneurs reap rewards

A brother and sister team have been awarded a rural enterprise award for turning their near derelict family farm into a successful business.

Ben and Charlotte Hollins received the first Lycetts Young Entrepreneurs award after they developed their farm into a unique community-owned enterprise.

The pair faced eviction in 2004 after they returned from university to find the lease on their organic farm in Shropshire, which had been in the family since the Second World War, had expired.

Community days

Within six months they had raised £1.4m to buy the farm through securing interest free loans and selling shares in the farm.

Through the community ownership scheme, Fordhill Community Land Initiative, the Hollins have worked with their 8000 shareholders to develop the site and have held regular community days for investors to help restore the farm.

Livestock numbers have increased, while the pair expects the farm to receive official organic certification next year.

‘Remarkable achievement’

They have also added a visitor area and farm shop and hope to add educational facilities to the farm.
 
Angus Keate, chief executive of Lycetts, said the Hollins’ land initiative was a “remarkable achievement”.

“Where many might have given up, they did an amazing job in the first instance by raising such a huge amount of money. 

‘Sustainable future’

“What is perhaps more impressive, however, is their commitment and maturity since taking over the farm. 

“They have had the foresight to allow the farm to continue to grow and diversify in the longer term, and this bodes well for a successful and sustainable future to the benefit of the local economy and community.”