Peter Craven believes that success comes down to the cultivation of family relationships, collaborative decision-making, and future planning together. [Nuffield Scholar]
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Last year’s Family Farming Business of the Year’s British Farming Awards was from Devon – namely the Davis Family, of Westcott Farm near Tiverton, for their sustainable practices.
Another Devon family farm has caught the media’s attention, with East Devon’s hipster farming scene looking a little different, as the dreadlocked Harry Boglione is hardly typical – and yet this is a serious family business.
This summer, seven family-run Devon farms opened up their businesses to show what they’re about – from Devon Clinton Estates to the Camp family at Hayes Farm, pictured below:
This week, the secrets for family farming business succession have been revealed – where Peter Craven, Nuffield Scholar, publishes his family business report:
Fourth-generation Lincolnshire farmer Peter Craven has published his Nuffield Farming report, entitled ‘The Formula for Family Business Success’.
“Farming businesses can be likened to a ‘not so perfect’ cake, baked perhaps with ‘too many cooks’,” he wrote in the report. “When good times allow for plenty of cream you can cover up a multitude of sins but, when times turn hard, there is less cream to smooth over the cracks and it comes down to the family to perfect their recipe for success. In the face of significant policy changes and the reduction of farm subsidies, the unity, innovation, and dynamism of farming families as both business partners and family members will be tested to the limit. Is it time to consider a new recipe?”
Craven believes that success comes down to the cultivation of family relationships, collaborative decision-making, and future planning together. His report emphasises the role of trust built through open, honest and fair communication.
Here is more from the Nuffield Scholar website, with the full report on “The Formula for Family Business Success”:
This report addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by family businesses in the agricultural sector. Amid the pressures to ensure survival, produce sustainable food, adhere to regulations, and mitigate climate change impacts, the future of farming businesses is under scrutiny. This report aims to explore the future landscape of farming businesses, their evolving priorities, and how lessons from successful family businesses in other industries can guide adaptation and success. The study delves into three core dimensions: the family, the business and the ownership.
To finish, there’s a piece from Devon Live a couple of years ago, looking at the issues around handing over the family farm, and how Devon young farmers have been starting conversations on succession planning.
Challenging but important for the future of our communities and our landscapes.
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