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This is the archived FAQ's page relating to our previous bid for the Wye College Farm.
With the tender bid for the Wye College Farm having been unsuccessful, this page will soon be updated to provide more information on the new opportunity being pursued.
Why a tenancy? Why not buy the farm?
Imperial College London, owners of the Wye College Farm, has informed the WCLT that it has no plans at this stage to sell the farm. It has, however, told us that it may offer a tenancy during 2007. Clearly, WCLT's vision will only be achievable if a tenancy of sufficient length is offered, and we can at this stage only plan as if this will be the case.
How big is the farm?
The farmed land is around 790 acres (320 Ha), comprising a dairy unit, pig unit, sheep unit, equine centre and arable cropping. It is not clear whether ICL would be looking to offer a tenancy on all or part of the farm, but at this stage we are planning as if it would be the whole area.
How much money will need to be raised?
As referred to above, in the absence of details on what will be available it is not possible at this stage to produce firm budgets. Also, as bidding for the tenancy will be a competitive process, it would be unwise to make details available on a public website. However, a sub-group of the steering group is working on a business plan and recruiting specialist advice as required.
Notwithstanding the above, it would not be giving any secrets away to say that WCLT will need to place several thousand £50 shares in order to raise sufficient finance to secure the tenancy, equip and stock the farm, and cover revenue expenditure until cash flow develops.
Who are the steering group?
The current steering group is made up of local residents, professionals and farmers. Half the group are either farming now or have practical experience of farm management. Nearly all are educated to degree level or above, many in the field of land use and farming. The steering group is, quite correctly, fluid and new members with relevant skills and experience will join. Please indicate on the public consultation form if you would like to join, or expect us to contact you if dare to sound too enthusiastic….
The present steering group is an interim body of volunteers, committed to leading the preliminary phase. Once WCLT is formally constituted, the shareholders will elect the members of the management board.
What enterprises will the farm focus on?
The correct answer to this must be "Whatever the shareholders decide". However, it is fair at this early stage to say that the following will need to be taken into account:
- The physical, climatic and infrastructure attributes/ constraints of the farm.
- The opportunities to fill missing local demands and complement other local farming enterprises.
- The compatibility with the wider social and environmental aims of the WCLT.
- Economics.
What will happen to the hop gardens?
Wye celebrated 100 years of hop research in 2006 and the gardens are part of the landscape. The Hop Research Unit is a tenant of ICL and it is required to grub the gardens by the time its lease expires later in 2007. WCLT is investigating the prospect of saving at least one hop garden; indicate on your form if this part of the farm is of particular interest.
What's in it for me? Why should I buy shares in the WCLT?
Take your pick from the following, according to where your particular interests lie:
- Producing, transporting and consuming food makes up nearly a third of our contribution to climate change (Defra 2006). It is difficult to see how we can address global warming without relocalising the food supply chain.
- The WCLT would host farm visits for 1,000's of school children every year. Without understanding where their food comes from or how the countryside works, we cannot expect future generations to care for the natural environment.
- The view that so many people enjoy from the North Downs is essentially one created by mixed farming. By operating a broad range of agricultural enterprises this view will be maintained and enhanced.
- The most certain way of ensuring high animal welfare and sustainable crop production, is to have your food produced on your own doorstep. Seeing your food produced for yourself is worth more than any labelling scheme on a supermarket shelf.
- The WCLT will provide employment, training and volunteering opportunities, so equipping people with the skills needed to ensure sustainable food production and landscape management for the future.
- It will be an interesting, challenging and enjoyable journey for anyone involved with this initiative. Jump aboard!
Once individual membership ceases, the share registered in the name of that member will be cancelled and the amount subscribed for the value of the share becomes the property of the Trust.
Given the events of the last 12 months, can Imperial College be trusted as landlords?
The Wye Community Land Trust has no connection to, or opinion on, the recent 'little local difficulty' concerning the Wye campus. The only fact relevant to the WCLT is that Imperial College London have indicated that the College Farm is no longer required for academic purposes, and that a tenancy may thus be offered on the farm. The WCLT will take sound legal advice should a tenancy be considered, and an agreement with ICL would be conducted along the same lines as would any tenant/ landlord relationship.
