Army family wanting to introduce my children to livestock

[lucy955]

Hi,

I'm from a farming background but my husband is in the army and my children are growing up in army accommodation. We move every two years and have no idea where we might be sent next (but it will be in the uk). I want my children to get a taste of my background. I am considering trying to get a few sheep to breed, show and for my children to handle. The issue being as we move every two years I would need to find new grazing every two years. A mobile smallholding?? Yes, I know what that means. What do you think? Madness? I will have to approach land owners and beg. What chance do you think I have? We are in Gloucester at the moment. Obviously I try begging the army first but I don't know if that will happen.

Lucy xx

 

[spin cycle]

welcome lucy and good luck

 

[Muck Spreader]

I think I would try and get to know some smallholders in your area and offer to do a bit of work for them and get yourself involved and take it from there. good luck.

 

[Man_in_black]

Hi,

I'm from a farming background but my husband is in the army and my children are growing up in army accommodation. We move every two years and have no idea where we might be sent next (but it will be in the uk). I want my children to get a taste of my background. I am considering trying to get a few sheep to breed, show and for my children to handle. The issue being as we move every two years I would need to find new grazing every two years. A mobile smallholding?? Yes, I know what that means. What do you think? Madness? I will have to approach land owners and beg. What chance do you think I have? We are in Gloucester at the moment. Obviously I try begging the army first but I don't know if that will happen.

Lucy xx

The sentiment is grand but I'd fear for securing grazing every couple of years. Could imagine you'll either just not be able to find the land or get ripped off.

 

[lucy955]

I think I would try and get to know some smallholders in your area and offer to do a bit of work for them and get yourself involved and take it from there. good luck.

I don't think I understand? Do you mean each time we move? I have approached a local lady near here, but she has made it very clear that children are not welcome and that the whole point really. That's pretty much why I though and getting a few myself. I have friends still farming and we go and help out quite a bit. Are you saying they might let me rent a bit of land once they know I know what i'm doing?

 

[Man_in_black]

Maybe a flying flock. If it just about teaching kids where food from maybe some stores, finished at a weight your family likes then enjoy your own lamb?

Or buy inlamb, sell ewes at weaning & wedders fat/store/freezer. Ewe lambs sell as breeders first year or in lamb.

 

[lucy955]

Yep! That's the plan. The issue is going to be grazing!

 

[llamedos]

I don't think I understand? Do you mean each time we move? I have approached a local lady near here, but she has made it very clear that children are not welcome and that the whole point really. That's pretty much why I though and getting a few myself. I have friends still farming and we go and help out quite a bit. Are you saying they might let me rent a bit of land once they know I know what i'm doing?

I think MS is saying go and help others, you are going to struggle to find new grazing every couple of years in an area where you are unknown.
You are going to have to go through getting new holding numbers too. What happens if one move you find nowhere, you end up having to sell up.

 

[lucy955]

OK. So yes. Madness!! Thanks all

I just don't want my children to fall in love, starting really enjoying and then drag them away. They already loose all their friends every two years. Wanted something I could keep going but I completely agree with everything your saying. Thank you

 

[Wolds Beef]

How old are the children? If they are old enough they could join the local YFC and probably make friends and help out on local farms. Some YFC's start from 10 years old to 26 years old. Good Luck. @lucy955
WB

 

[unlacedgecko]

Hi,

I'm from a farming background but my husband is in the army and my children are growing up in army accommodation. We move every two years and have no idea where we might be sent next (but it will be in the uk). I want my children to get a taste of my background. I am considering trying to get a few sheep to breed, show and for my children to handle. The issue being as we move every two years I would need to find new grazing every two years. A mobile smallholding?? Yes, I know what that means. What do you think? Madness? I will have to approach land owners and beg. What chance do you think I have? We are in Gloucester at the moment. Obviously I try begging the army first but I don't know if that will happen.

Lucy xx

Most quarters will allow chickens.

 

[milkloss]

Perhaps start a club of some sort so you could land swap with others in the forces? Maybe not enough interest though.

 

[bread and jam]

if you could find someone on here who would let you and your children could come and visit every couple of weeks and help out on a few husbandry tasks, so that you and your family are not tied or have the hassle of owning your own sheep and trying to source grass keep every 2 years would probably be the best.
Good luck any how on any decision you make.

 

[Muck Spreader]

I think MS is saying go and help others, you are going to struggle to find new grazing every couple of years in an area where you are unknown.
You are going to have to go through getting new holding numbers too. What happens if one move you find nowhere, you end up having to sell up.

Yes, I was trying to imply that there is a bit more to owning sheep than just buying them. But using someone else's sheep, knowledge and facilitates maybe a more realistic way of doing it.

 

[llamedos]

OK. So yes. Madness!! Thanks all

I just don't want my children to fall in love, starting really enjoying and then drag them away. They already loose all their friends every two years. Wanted something I could keep going but I completely agree with everything your saying. Thank you

Perhaps not madness.
What about something along the lines of setting up a small allotment within each place you move to, passing it on to the next interested party if and when you move on.
Or, have a look at something like 'incredibly edible' encouraging others on the bases to grow their own food in all available spaces within each base, surplus could be sold to raise money for upkeep etc. If you have time, blog about it etc, lots of potential, which would be easier than the livestock version.

 

[Wolds Beef]

@lucy955 Gloucestershire YFC have a good website, Google it and you will find the nearest club to you. Young Farmers are not all young farmers anymore. I made a lot of good friends all over the country because of the club.
WB

 

[lucy955]

Great! Thank you all.

Lucy

 

[2YardOfLard]

Hi,

I'm from a farming background but my husband is in the army and my children are growing up in army accommodation. We move every two years and have no idea where we might be sent next (but it will be in the uk). I want my children to get a taste of my background. I am considering trying to get a few sheep to breed, show and for my children to handle. The issue being as we move every two years I would need to find new grazing every two years. A mobile smallholding?? Yes, I know what that means. What do you think? Madness? I will have to approach land owners and beg. What chance do you think I have? We are in Gloucester at the moment. Obviously I try begging the army first but I don't know if that will happen.

Lucy xx

I think the paperwork would defeat you as far as owning animals goes.
Have you looked at the farms section of "Workaway" ? You can specify that you're looking for somewhere that can accommodate children.
https://www.workaway.info/hostlist....g=0&sptf_accept_families=1&ht[]=hosttype_farm

 

[Boysground]

As you are in Gloucester make sure you go to the Hartpury college open day in the summer. Tours around their farm and lots of horsey stuff too. It's a great free day out. Might get the kids thinking about learning more about agriculture.

Also push the regiment to move to wilts lots of sheep on the plain I'm sure you would find someone who would help you.

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