Three Generations on a Family Farm in Southwest England —A Case Study of Transfer and Developing Management —

摘要

In Japan, there are very few research findings about England's family farm businesses after the Second World War. This article presents a concrete image of that period, focusing on a relatively large-scale farm family business which was founded in between the First World War and the Second World War and handed over for three generations. The article also shows the actual condition of this farm business. The "C" farm, founded in the 1920s, started its business as a tenancy and accumulated capital by operating not only farming but also livestock dealing. In 1947 it became an owner-occupied farm by buying the farm from the landlord. In that time the main source of farm labour was gradually shifted from hired employees to family members. This was because 4 sons, who are the 2~(nd) generation, began to get involved in farming, and the farm also began to mechanize. In the 1950s the sons got married and some left the farm. The 2~(nd) and 3 rd sons founded their own independent farm separately. The largestpart of the "C" farm began to be operated by the oldest son, while the remainder was leased to the youngest son. The family formed a general partnership on the "C" farm but the 1~(st) generation still retained the land ownership and management authority. In the early 1980s, after the 1~(st) generation passed away, the farmland was inherited by 7 children of the 2~(nd) generation equally. The youngest son had the right to succeed to the farmland which he rented from his parents. However, the oldest sonhad the right to inherit only a seventh part and had to borrow money to buy out the remainder. This is one of the most serious problems in a farm family business. Both the oldest and youngest sons needed to keep the farm from being divided in order to continue the system of grazing management. As a result, the oldest son succeeded to the whole operation, and the youngest son, who already bought his own additional land, got to own the farm he had previously rented from his parents. Both farms will have to be inherited by 3~(rd) generation before long, but the 2~(nd) generation will have to decide how to pass on the land to their children. The potential conflict between equality and the future viability of the farm business will become more serious.