Preston based Colin Bradley, who grows potatoes on 1500 acres of land spread over three counties, has been confirmed as the NFU’s new Lancashire County Chairman for 2016 and 2017. He took over from upland sheep farmer John Taylor of Lots House Farm in Lancaster.
Creating a profitable industry for the next generation of Lancashire farmers will be Colin’s mandate during his two year term in office.
“There is a generation of Lancashire farmers who do not have a vocal platform at a time of huge volatility in agricultural markets. With the power of social media, I believe there are a lot of opportunities these young farmers can grab with both hands,” explained 61 year old Colin whose home farm is Stanley Villa in Weeton.
“Social media is so powerful and by using it to their advantage the next generation of farmers can do far better in business than my generation has. Young people need to be helped onto the business ladder and for that reason I’ll be championing farm business tenancies, share farm options and limited liability partnerships. There are people out there with money and land who need the energy and skill sets that our young people have. It’s the NFU’s role to bring these two sets of people together.”
A keen cyclist, Colin has ridden from Land's End to John O'Groats and recently completed the 560 miles between Bangkok and Phuket on his bike.
He started his farming career as a dairy farmer but when quotas were introduced he sold the cows and started growing potatoes, becoming a major producer for McCain.
Colin then formed Fylde Fresh and Fabulous with three partners. This is a processing business – peeling potatoes for ready meal makers as well as fresh chips for fish and chip shops.
The potatoes are grown in Lancashire, Cumbria and Northumberland. Two years ago the business put in an anaerobic digester. Colin added a further combined heat and power unit.
Colin was officially inaugurated at the NFU's Lancashire County Branch Annual Dinner which took place on Tuesday 26 January at The Samlesbury Hotel in Preston.
