Jonny Alford

Jonny Alford is the Treasurer for the Cornwall Agri-food Council and the Chief Land Agent for Cornwall County Council. He manages the Council’s Agricultural portfolio of 110 farms, a total of 11,400 acres. 

The estate is managed to provide a gateway into rural business; the majority of opportunities are dairy farms, although there a broad mix of opportunities from poultry through to equestrian. In addition, we have established two farms with education activities; one for adult with learning difficulties and one for secondary school children.

The estate is a microcosm of the County’s agriculture; this means that we are dealing with the same issues as other rural businesses. Diversification away from core agricultural production is supported but only where a proven robust business case exists to ensure any new enterprise is sustainable for the medium term future.

Jonny sees his role on the CAC as representing the farming community, ensuring that the work of the CAC brings benefits to that community. We need to have a clear strategy as a industry setting out where we want to be in 5 years time; we need to forge strong links with the Food sector; and we need work closely with the Public Sector to ensure our voice is heard and that out aspirations are written in to Public Policy.