Winners celebrate securing £30K Kramp ‘Cultivate a Generation’ grant

The ‘Cultivate a Generation’ grant, which provides £30,000 yearly to farmers, farming families and agricultural engineers, is run and funded by Kramp, a UK agricultural spare parts supplier.  

Des Boyd, sales director at Kramp, said that the programme was set up at the end of 2023 to support farmers, both young and old, farming families, contractors and agricultural engineers by providing essential workshop equipment to cultivate their skills, knowledge, and passion for agriculture.

Isabel Verey, young farmer winner from February

20-year-old Isabel is currently in the process of taking over the family farm from her father.

Ampney Down Farm comprises 40 suckler cows and their calves, plus a few followers and a livery yard.

Isabel is working hard to diversify their income streams following the decline of BPS and applied for the ‘Young Farmer’ category, hoping some winnings would afford her the chance to implement some of her own ideas.

She said: “Initially, I was really surprised when I heard I’d won, but it soon sank in and felt great. As water is one of our biggest issues on the farm, I’d been thinking of ways to alternate the grazing areas of our livestock whilst fixing drainage.

“The money went towards fencing and water management and helped me show my parents that my ideas work!”

Thomas Blandford, livestock farmer winner from March

Thomas and his wife Alice purchased a 40-acre farm in Herefordshire in 2020 and described it as “dream come true material”. 

The couple also rents another 50 acres in a local village and have a flock of 100 commercial sheep plus a small flock of native Ryelands.

They have 10 traditional Hereford cattle and are involved in a meat box business and rare sheep breeding.

He said: “There’s no hiding the fact that farming is tough, but we’re incredibly passionate about it, and that carries us through.  

“The prices and weather we’re experiencing at the moment aren’t helping, but this initiative from Kramp is just fantastic. It felt amazing to win something.  

“The money is going towards new fencing so we can contain our livestock and monitor their well-being.

“I’d encourage anyone to take part and apply. And to young people in the industry, take a look at companies like this, showing it’s not all doom and gloom.”

Kyle Catlin, young farmer winner from April

Young farmer Kyle Catlin of Northamptonshire said he “chose the farming life”.  

Kyle does not come from an agricultural family, and he set out from scratch to take up the lifestyle at age 17 and now works for himself, managing 150 ewes and three cows, and also contracts out his labour.  

Kyle dreams of being a fully-fledged contract farmer providing professional services to his local area.

He said: “It felt great to actually win something. Kramp offers so much it was hard to choose what to spend my winnings on. 

“But I decided that our trailer lights were most in need of fixing, so we’ve now got brand new trailer lights that are keeping us safe and visible. It’s a great initiative.”

Bayley Anderson, agri engineer winner from April

Bayley grew up on his family’s small beef farm in Cambridgeshire and often fixed machinery himself.  

The 22-year-old is fully embracing his Claas apprenticeship and building experience and skills for his career as an agricultural engineer.

Bayley said: “I was really thrilled when I heard I’d won, and excited too. It was just a one-off application.  

“I’m fairly new to the industry and am currently saving for a decent air compressor for my van.

“These winnings will go towards that. But more importantly, Kramp has contributed to my future, and I can’t thank them enough.”

For more information about whether you qualify and to apply for a grant, visit the Kramp UK website.

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