CP2564-24 County Farms Opportunities Research

The County Farms Estate (CFE) are interested in commissioning a piece of research to explore how to improve economic and environmental resilience within the CFE, and how to maximise future opportunities brought about by changes in the food and farming sector. It is expected that this could include the adoption of regenerative and innovative practices; use of agri-tech; sharing knowledge and examples of best practice; diversification, including into horticulture; and alternative routes to market.

The research will build on previous learning developed by the DCC Economy Enterprise and Skills team through the Future Farming Resilience Programme; the Devon Agri-Tech Alliance; the Devon Farm Innovation Toolkit and Carbon toolkit; and the Agri Innovation Pilot currently being undertaken in West Devon and South Hams and expanded separately by the Satellite Catapult Environmental Space Living Lab (ESLL) Project. The research will also take into account other drivers from within DCC, including objectives set by the Growth Strategy and potential Devolution Deal; the Devon Carbon Plan; the Devon Food Partnership; and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

This proposed research will run in parallel with an extended agri-innovation business support pilot for CFE tenants.

The scope of the study should identify opportunities and challenges for the CFE in terms of relevant land and livestock management processes and methodologies, which can be adopted in order to: increase resilience to climate change and other challenges; improve profitability and productivity; and demonstrate models of best practice through the CFE in terms of wider DCC policy and strategy. To include: Review of the baseline data for the CFE and its tenants; review of previous research and learning in the context of the CFE (including but not limited to the below) and identification of any gaps; review of national, regional and local policy and strategy in the context of the CFE (including but not limited to the below) and an exploration of challenges and opportunities; exploration of the unique challenges and opportunities for the CFE and what support tenants might need to build resilience and take up opportunities; exploration of how the CFE and other DCC pilots and programmes can work together to demonstrate and support best practice - in the context of local strategy and policy - within the CFE and the wider Devon farming community.

The Contract has a set budget of £40,000.00