A FLEDGLING project aimed at attracting new growers and farmers in the Tamar Valley has received a New Year boost.

Tamar Grow Local is to create a land trust of starter horticultural units in the valley, aimed at reinvigorating mid-scale production in the area.

The starter units will enable new entrants into agriculture to access one to three acre parcels of land at an affordable cost and utilise business support, training, equipment share and access to markets. Alongside the starter units, a not-for-profit brokerage system will be developed for these new and existing growers to sell their produce in the local area.

Investment from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has been secured to kick-start the project. Since the decline in the market gardening and fruit industry from the 1950s with the advent of imported produce, production has declined. Currently less than half the area is in active production, most of which is grazing.

Simon Platten, project manager for Tamar Grow Local, said: 'It is very difficult for those from non-farming families or those wanting to enter agriculture to get a foot through the gate. We will be offering practical help in a number of different ways to incentivise new entrants to the sector.

'The current food supply chain is polarised, at one extreme larger producers supplying supermarkets through national supply chains or through a few wholesalers, and at the other extreme small producers and microbusinesses only able to engage with very localised and restricted markets.

'We want to help new entrants and encourage scaling up of production whilst minimising risk and investment for smaller growers.'

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK, making grants of £30 to £35- million annually towards a wide range of work within the arts, education and learning, the environment and social change.

Laurence Scott, grants manager for the foundation, said: 'We're really pleased to be able to provide support for the project as it responds well to the foundation's interests in more sustainable forms of food production and consumption and offers an excellent package of support that will attract new growers in an area with a long tradition of high-quality local food supply.'

Corinna Woodall, manager of the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: 'With such an important heritage of growing and producing food from this valley, support for projects such as this are really important in providing employment and skills and boosting the local economy, but also helping to connect people to locally grown food and the landscape they value.'

Tamar Grow Local (TGL) is a 'not for profit' community interest company (CIC) set up on co-operative principles for the benefit of the community, promoting sustainable local produce in the Tamar Valley.

It provides opportunities and support for local people and community groups to grow their own food; raises awareness of the benefits of local produce and the unique market gardening history of the area and works with commercial growers to increase the availability and consumption of local food and produce and to shorten supply chains.

Simon Platten said: 'Our vision is that the Tamar Valley becomes once again an area well known for the range and quality of local produce, including food and cut flowers, which has been grown sustainably and is affordable to all who live in the area. Also, that the Tamar Valley is able to support local producers to earn a good living.'

Tamar Grow Local would like to hear from anyone interested in starter horticultural units in the Tamar Valley.

Confirmed growing sites will be announced in spring 2015.

Contact TGL at 01579 208412.