Agricultural Experience Breaks.

[DrWazzock]

Is there any demand for this?

Would anybody like to come for a few days and experience life on a farm. Maybe hoe some beet, rogue the wheat or feed and look at the stock. A bit of training on the kit. That kind of thing.

Not five star en suite. A real working farmhouse.

Reconnect people and build bridges. Get them to photograph and name every plant/bird/animal/insect on the farm maybe.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Well someone paid £30 in a charity auction to do just that with us! Well to meet the cows, pet the calves etc. A woman and her partner (I think he was dragged along as we had said it was for up to 4 people). We didn't inflect our draughty bedrooms on them though, they came for half a day.

 

[delilah]

There's certainly a need for the public to engage with 'normal' farms, but at the same time it's useful to recognise that the community sector has been doing this for years. There would be lots to learn about how to make this a success, including advice on practical issues such as insurance, by joining the two national bodies best versed in this.

www.farmgarden.org.uk

www.communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk

 

[DrWazzock]

There's certainly a need for the public to engage with 'normal' farms, but at the same time it's useful to recognise that the community sector has been doing this for years. There would be lots to learn about how to make this a success, including advice on practical issues such as insurance, by joining the two national bodies best versed in this.

www.farmgarden.org.uk

www.communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk

Thanks. It does need careful thought. I have also been approached by a teacher who works in a difficult inner city school about whether some kind of farming project or experience could be arranged for the students. It's a good idea in principle but I am struggling with the health and safety and security side of things but there might be a way to set up some kind of safe area.

Allotments are another thought.

 

[delilah]

Thanks. It does need careful thought. I have also been approached by a teacher who works in a difficult inner city school about whether some kind of farming project or experience could be arranged for the students. It's a good idea in principle but I am struggling with the health and safety and security side of things but there might be a way to set up some kind of safe area.

Allotments are another thought.

We've a school coming down from London next month, paying. Also corporate days, had a group from Nationwide building society couple of weeks ago they loved it. There's massive potential. As said, health and safety and suchlike Social farms and gardens will guide you through it.

 

[Dry Rot]

You need a performing animals licence now for farm visits. That's the latest ruling from they who must be obeyed. I dare not search further!

https://www.devonsomersettradingsta...licences-and-registration/performing-animals/

 

[delilah]

You need a performing animals licence now for farm visits. That's the latest ruling from they who must be obeyed. I dare not search further!

https://www.devonsomersettradingsta...licences-and-registration/performing-animals/

Social farms and gardens are onto this. The legislation says that if you keep the animals primarily for 'agriculture' rather than 'education' you dont need a licence, so for most folks on here they can ignore it as the farm visits are clearly secondary to the business of farming.

 

[Highland Mule]

You need a performing animals licence now for farm visits. That's the latest ruling from they who must be obeyed. I dare not search further!

https://www.devonsomersettradingsta...licences-and-registration/performing-animals/

That sounds like scaremongering @Dry Rot.

 

[deleted user 837354]

I would just check with your insurer to ensure you are covered specifically for visitors of this kind.

 

[Dry Rot]

That sounds like scaremongering @Dry Rot.

Heard on R4 the other morning. But I see from the gov.uk site they are now saying it doesn't apply to farm animals in the Highland region (!) but it seems may do in other parts of the UK. Try Googling for your area.

I have noticed that the law in the Highlands is, erm, "unique" in not applying equally to everyone.

https://www.gov.uk/performing-animals-registration/highland

"Exceptions
You don’t need to register if you train or exhibit animals for use by the military or police, or for agriculture or sport".

 

[delilah]

Coach load of primary school children down from London today, they had a fantastic time building shelters and campfires in the wood and saw the cattle and sheep up close.
It wiped its face financially, but just as importantly it has left us with a rosy glow that the kids had a day in the countryside and, as much as 7 year old can, went home with a greater understanding of the natural environment and where their food comes from.

 

[Selectamatic]

My nearly sister in law and some of her friends, for who I am their only agricultural connection, loved a day on the spud harvester, and has often said that she would like to lend a hand to carry some small bales!

Probably, yes, there is a market for it, it's similar to a glass blowing, woodworking, steelwork, etc etc experience day.

Health and Safety and Insurance nightmare though!!

 

[Formatted]

Health and Safety and Insurance nightmare though!!

Not really all the policies and procedures you should have already, as you will have contractors or guests that enter the farm and they will be treated the same way. Insurance is just a case of letting them know and updating the policy.

 

[Tomr10]

I have thought about finding one for a weekend with people I work with. Something like pig chasing, or bale stacking comp with a tractor