Hampshire County Council has supported the advancement of farming for 130 years. From magic lantern lectures to helping new entrants to farming, explore the lasting legacy of public sector and agricultural partnership.
Did you know that the average age of a UK farmer is 59, compared to 43 for teachers and nurses, and under 35 for most doctors and dentists? Hampshire County Council owns over 30 farms that provide an entry point for new farmers.
In 2025, farmers need broad shoulders for the responsibilities they carry: helping reverse climate change, restoring ecosystems and supporting the reconnection of people to nature. These new challenges require diverse skills and ideas. Support for new entrants into farming is by no means a new initiative. Hampshire County Council has a long history of supporting newcomers to farming and industry improvements, dating back over 130 years. From Victorian magic lantern lectures to tenant farms, this talk sheds light on the history of Hampshire’s Farm School, the creation of council farms, and more.