Free advice · Wales
Farming Connect Start to Farm (new entrant and landowner matching)
Matches farmers and landowners stepping back with new entrants and supports joint ventures with mentoring, business planning and legal advice.
- From
- Farming Connect (Welsh Government)
- How much
- Fully funded business support up to £2,750 per partner; up to £2,000 per partner towards legal advice on agreements.
- Who can apply
- New entrants seeking a way into farming, and farmers or landowners in Wales looking for a business partner.
What you’ll need
- Farming Connect registration
How to apply
- Register your interest as a landowner or new entrant on the Start to Farm pages
- Get matched and supported through planning and legal stages
This is the Farming Connect joint-venture matching service previously promoted as Venture. Pages checked 30 October 2026.
Similar schemes
- Agricultural Diversification and Horticulture Scheme (window 3) OpenWelsh Government / Rural Payments Wales · Closes 27 November 202640% capital grant to set up or develop a farm diversification enterprise (such as sheep or goat milking, fibre or energy crops, on-farm processing) or a commercial horticulture business.
- Farming Connect subsidised training and e-learning Open all yearFarming Connect (Welsh Government)Subsidised accredited training, workshops, webinars and e-learning, which also counts towards SFS UA4 Continuous Professional Development.
- New Entrant Grants Open all yearAddington FundGrants for items that improve soil or livestock health, such as soil and fodder tests, vet health plans, vaccines, cameras, mobile fencing and foot trimming kit.
- Horticulture Start Up grant (2026-27 window) Coming soonWelsh Government / Rural Payments Wales · Closes 15 January 2027Capital grant to help new commercial horticulture enterprises in Wales get started.
- Farm Resilience Programme and other farm programmes Check it’s runningThe Royal Countryside Fund (formerly the Prince's Countryside Fund)Free business and environmental training for family farms, including Farm Resilience, Routes to Regen, Savings in Soil and Working with Water.
- Supporting Rural Communities grants Check it’s runningThe Royal Countryside FundGrants to groups for young people, community projects, farm succession and rural resilience.
Checked against the official pages on 29 October 2026. Sources: 1, 2. Always read the official page before you apply.