James Mills

I farm in partnership with my wife and parents on a 200Ha arable and sheep farm, on the edge of York. Our family have farmed for seven generations but I am now the third generation to run our farm, Woolas Grange. Our family settled here when Grandpa initially rented the holding from the UK Government after the Second World War, with prisoners of war still working on the farm at the time. Dad subsequently took on the management, growing the business alongside his brother before the partnership separated in 2007. I initially opted not to pursue a career in agriculture, having been to Nottingham University where I studied Politics and History, I took a job as a researcher and speech writer for a member of the UK Parliament. However, the agricultural itch soon began to take hold as I took a role in the National Farmers Union's London office. This role led to subsequent roles, including a 4 year stint working for the British Agriculture Bureau in Brussels before I returned to the farm in 2015; just a few months before the UK's vote on its membership of the European Union. Our first decision in advance of the looming vote was to diversify our business to add financial resilience in the event that financial support was removed following a "leave" vote. This resulted in us opening an on farm wedding venue in 2018, throwing our doors open to couples from around the world to enjoy some good old fashioned Yorkshire Hospitality. Subsequently we have strived to drive down debt within the business, achieving zero debt 6 months ago, allowing us a financially resilient platform on which I now intend to inwardly invest within the farm and ensure we are fit for the future. The farm currently produces feed wheat, malting barley, milling oats and winter beans, as well as producing lamb for local markets. Away from the farm I am now the National Farmers' Union Vice Chair of the Combinable Crops Board.