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County Farms Home | Contact Information | Management Policy | Newsletter | Farms to Let | Map of County Farm Estates | Properties for Sale | Related Sites | Reletting Procedure | New Projects | Centenary Matters
'Centenary Farm’ Open Day-September 2008
On a fine autumn day in September, 100 years from the anniversary of purchasing its first agricultural estate, Chairman of the County Council, Councillor Steve Wilkinson welcomed over 130 visitors to an event to celebrate 100 years of providing County Farms in Cheshire and officially name and unveil ‘Centenary Farm,’ the newest dairy farm in the County Councils County Farms Service.
Guests included representatives from the County Council NFU, CLA , TFA, members of the public and tenants, both past and present and all enjoyed locally sourced refreshments and the opportunity to view this fine new farm and talk to all those who were instrumental in completing the project including the building contractors.
In concert with a magnificent day enjoyed by all at the ploughing match at Arley in the week before and as a celebration of the endeavour and ambition of its tenant farmers, this new farm provides a clear example of the County Councils commitment and ambition for the future of farming in Cheshire.
Read further details of the project
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Introduction to County Farms Estate
As Cheshire County Council is celebrating the centenary of providing opportunities to farm across the County, in England and Wales Local Authorities Estates extend to just under 300,000 acres of land for agricultural purposes, enabling approximately 4,500 tenants to gain their livelihood.
Cheshire’s County Farms Estates, which are located throughout the County and extend to almost 10,000 acres, currently consisting of some 130 farms ranging in size from 45 to 190 acres.
The Service is celebrating its centenary in 2008 as the land was acquired progressively between 1909 and 1935 as a result of Government legislation, introduced to encourage the creation of opportunities for people to farm on their own account.
These areas were then developed as Statutory Smallholdings by the provision of purpose built houses and buildings, or the conversion of existing properties. Subsequently, substantial adaptation works have been carried out by the Council and its tenants to provide modern facilities for the production of milk to meet the changing needs of the farming industry.
Priority is being given to restructuring the Estates to further meet the changing demands upon this industry. The Estate includes a range from small, unequipped parcels of bare land, to fully equipped dairy farms of 190 acres, with house, buildings and all appropriate facilities. The latest reorganisation projects include building an entirely new farmstead to replace outdated facilities premises and more about that project can seen on the new projects page.
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The County Farms Estate is offered by the Council from within the Policy & Resources Directorate with the day to day management carried out by the Property Management Service. Strategic policy and operational management decisions are considered by an Executive Member of the Council who is advised by a Select Panel.
Knowing where to go for help and advice when setting out in farming has always been difficult and confusing and to address just that issue, an industry led initiative developed in conjunction with DEFRA and aptly named Fresh Start has been launched and can be accessed via the Fresh Start logo. In addition you can invaluable information about opportunities in other areas and answers to some frequently asked questions from ACES.
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