Creative Foodie
New Member
I have just written an article that talks about some ways a farm, land or business could diversify - https://www.appetite.me.uk/blog-1/how-could-you-diversify
Hope its helpful
Hope its helpful
Ways you could diversify
- Thread starter Creative Foodie
- Start date
- Location
- Essex
Interesting - is the proposal that people come to you with sites for things like coffee shops and you fit them out and run them?
- Location
- South Wales UK
Nothing new.
All ok but cost a lot and then cost a lot to run even if yourself just waiting for customers.
You can take a horse to water but you can not make it drink?
All ok but cost a lot and then cost a lot to run even if yourself just waiting for customers.
You can take a horse to water but you can not make it drink?
Creative Foodie
New Member
Hi Will
I just thought I'd post the article as it may be helpful for anyone looking to diversify.
The business I work for sets up fully working enterprises for our clients whether that be a farm shop, cafe/restaurant or other food retail outlet, we do everything from initial planning and set up, interior design, sourcing and merchandising to training and employing staff, and branding. Our clients then decide how long they wish for us to oversee the new set up till they feel comfortable and confident taking the reins themselves.
We also do feasibility studies that help people decide if its the right move for them which is an in-depth report that covers whats best suited for the space/building, target audience, demographics, competition and expected cost and profit for the first three years.
Very brief explanation but hope it makes sense.
Creative Foodie
New Member
They can cost a lot it all depends on what the person wants to do with their space/building. And there are grants out there to help people.
The success of it comes mainly down to the planning and making sure the persons idea best suits the location, their target market and how their plans sits alongside the other competition in the area. And it also depends on how well the new business is marketed and promoted. You can have the best farm shop in the UK but if you don't tell anyone about it no one will come.
If only i could get the old man out of the farmhouse,my pick your own beef, pork and mutton business would be a runaway success perfect location down there.
perfect location down there.Boveyfarmer
Member
Useful article, well worth a read if you are thinking or have diversified already.
Creative Foodie
New Member
If only i could get the old man out of the farmhouse,my pick your own beef, pork and mutton business would be a runaway success
Do you mean the Farm Business Show? We are exhibiting there, its a great show with lots of inspiration, advise and ideas on how to diversify, definitely worth a visit and tickets to go are free
Creative Foodie
New Member
Yes definitely recommend it to traditional type farmers the exhibitors range is so wide spread, it could inspire you down a path you hadn't even considered.
Well I have a few ideas of what I think could work for us and it would be nice to get a good amount of research done face to face in an afternoon. you can only look at so many different products online!
Would be nice to hear from a few farmers on here what they think of the show, perhaps theres already a thread on the forum, although i only found an event listing and a few comments from last years show that didn't give much info. I am new to this forum so you'll have to excuse my Fish'ness
Would be nice to hear from a few farmers on here what they think of the show, perhaps theres already a thread on the forum, although i only found an event listing and a few comments from last years show that didn't give much info. I am new to this forum so you'll have to excuse my Fish'ness
Could be a good excuse for a mini adventure. A look round the show and then a night out on the town
Unless you are looking at tourism I wouldnt go to any special effort to make it there!
The first year I went was a bit better but the last couple of years have just been so focussed on glamping and tourism it really left me peed off that I had made the effort and wasted my time to go. The worse part about it is the venue is split and 3/4 of it is a seperate show designed for holiday park owners and salesman trying to sell you anything from vending machines to water parks!
The first year I went was a bit better but the last couple of years have just been so focussed on glamping and tourism it really left me peed off that I had made the effort and wasted my time to go. The worse part about it is the venue is split and 3/4 of it is a seperate show designed for holiday park owners and salesman trying to sell you anything from vending machines to water parks!
Everything bar tourism. The first year i went it had B&B pigs, poultry whether it was eggs or broilers and some other stands (it was a few years ago mind so my memory is vague). Even then however their was a far greater tourism element than i had expected, however since then the tourism side seems to have taken over. Should just be renamed to the The Tourism innovation show.
Something like the RWAS i suppose would be the best for a mixture but nothing i can think of that ticks all the boxes. Best thing seems to be to do your own research online and visit some of the more focussed shows, like pig and poultry, diary event, cereals, energy expo, APF etc etc etc...
Chasingmytail
Member
- Location
- Newport, SE Wales
Agree nothing new plus a glossy write up far to pretty for farmers - I would up date it with pros and cons. Cost set up whether is high in labour. Little point in diversifying if your business required 3-4 new employees by the time you paid them there is nothing for yourself. Age - come on you dont want to be entering diversification in your 60's when you have never managed people before. Employing people these days is a minefield. Start with spending money on HR manager.
Diversification works on the basis that 1. existing labour force, 2. experience. 3. location location 4. demand 5. USP 6. Funds 7. whether there is time to still farm. 8. Personality to spend time with member of the public (thats a special skill) 9. Profit.....endless list really
What farmers have is lots of tractors and trailers this is useful for many - moving plant and specialist machinery, moving spoil and construction. Land, buildings.
One thing puts me off shepherds huts etc is the return in capital investment is too small. 2. being tired to the farm even more when you need some time off with the children. 3. PEOPLE!
Diversification works on the basis that 1. existing labour force, 2. experience. 3. location location 4. demand 5. USP 6. Funds 7. whether there is time to still farm. 8. Personality to spend time with member of the public (thats a special skill) 9. Profit.....endless list really
What farmers have is lots of tractors and trailers this is useful for many - moving plant and specialist machinery, moving spoil and construction. Land, buildings.
One thing puts me off shepherds huts etc is the return in capital investment is too small. 2. being tired to the farm even more when you need some time off with the children. 3. PEOPLE!