by rural commentator Pat Crawford

A study recently undertaken into our reading habits indicates that failure is always higher on the agenda than success and disasters seriously outperform good news stories. On the basis of the all-important circulation figures, the daily papers - even the broadsheets - give us what we want. Consequently, bad news predominates.

Take features about farming. We have heard endless stories about the problems some farming sectors have had - and some still have - connected with the stranglehold of the supermarkets, imports of vast quantities of food, and aspects of the Common Agricultural Policy that are unfavourable to British farmers. Unfortunately, reportage of what is going wrong has not been balanced with stories of what is going well!

And good things are happening. Right now we are witnessing a positive shift in consumers' attitude to food. Concerned with worries about "food security", and aware that food miles must be reduced in light of climate change issues, interest in - and demand for - UK-produced food is growing.

If demand continues to increase at the current rate, and there is every reason to suppose it will, British farming is set to return to its position among the country's most important and successful industries.

Another story that emerges regularly concerns the average age of "farmers" - meaning those who own, are tenants at, or manage a farm. It is true that many in this category are beyond retirement age.

However, what is not mentioned is that, traditionally, generations of farmers have gone on working way beyond normal retirement age. And, while it is true that the father-to-son (or daughter) handing down of farms suffered a severe jolt when farming was in obvious decline, we are seeing a return of the inheritance influence now that predictions for the industry are so much more positive.

One factor that needs much greater coverage relates to looming skill shortages in the agriculture and farming sectors. Farming cannot expand unless the right new entrants are attracted to the industry.

During the lean years, schools careers advisers and others, understandably, dismissed the industry as having nothing to offer. That situation is undergoing a reversal and the industry - and associated support services such as research and development and marketing - afford excellent career opportunities. Unless recognition of this very different state of affairs grows, a lack of new entrants could result in the UK being unable to increase food production to provide the "food security" that looms increasingly high on the agenda.

Fresh Start, a government initiative, was designed to encourage the re-entry of people who had left the industry.

Hadlow College, led by Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, has developed the project to embrace anyone who wants to explore making a career in any aspect of farming. The 12-month programme, currently funded by the college and thus free to applicants, provides an excellent insight into what farming involves.

Presented on a once-a-month modular basis, the "academy" covers theory and practical subjects. As well as affording excellent guidance for prospective new entrants, Fresh Start can also benefit the career prospects of those already in the industry.